"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what they do." (Qur’an 24:30)
The following story beautifully illustrates the true meaning of lowering the gaze.
The preacher responded, "I will tell you the secret, but first, you must obey a command I give you."
Eager for guidance, the young man instantly agreed.
The preacher handed him a full glass of milk and instructed, "Take this glass and deliver it to a man at the end of the street. But remember—if you spill even a single drop, my guards will punish you immediately in the middle of the road. And if you return after spilling it, my own punishment will be beyond imagination."
Determined to complete the task correctly, the young man took the glass with utmost care. His eyes remained fixed on it as he carefully navigated the street. A guard accompanied him, watching his every step.
By the time he reached the destination, not a single drop had spilled. He returned to the preacher and impatiently asked, "Now, please tell me—how can I train myself to lower my gaze?"
The wise preacher smiled and asked, "How many women did you see on your way there and back?"
The young man hesitated, then answered, "I didn’t dare to lift my eyes!"
The preacher inquired further, "And why was that?"
The young man replied, "Because I was entirely focused on the glass. I knew the guard was watching me, and I feared being humiliated in public if I failed. And more than that, I feared the punishment you warned me about."
The preacher nodded and said, "That is the secret."
A person who fears Allah and is conscious of Him will always be mindful of their heart, knowing that if they sin, their eyes will be tempted, and on the Day of Judgment, they will face humiliation. Those who are aware of Allah’s presence and the accountability of the Hereafter will naturally prevent their eyes from wandering toward temptation.
They understand that Allah is always watching—He sees our actions, knows our thoughts, and is aware of every step we take. A true believer fears displeasing Allah more than anything else.
Thus, we must strive to develop a deep awareness of Allah. One of the main reasons people fall into sin is that they momentarily forget that Allah is watching. To protect ourselves from both major and minor sins, we must constantly remind ourselves of His presence.
True God-consciousness (taqwa) means understanding that nothing is hidden from Allah. When this realization takes root in our hearts, we will naturally guard our gaze, our actions, and our desires, ensuring that we do not displease Him.
In today's era of trials and temptations, where men are commanded to lower their gaze, it is equally essential for women to uphold modesty and morality by avoiding indecent attire and behavior. To promote purity and ethical values in society, both men and women must recognize their boundaries and live according to Islamic teachings. A civilized and modest society is formed when men safeguard their gaze and women uphold dignity in their dress and way of life.
May Allah grant us the ability to lower our gaze, purify our hearts, and remain conscious of Him in all that we do. Ameen.
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