Keep It Low

Bismillah.

I'd like to share something pertaining something close to heart, especially recently. That is, lowering of the gaze. This excerpt is from the article, "10 Habits We Must Avoid in Ramadhan" at Gsalam.net. All praise is due to Him for bringing me to read it and I couldn't have find this piece more relevant, now that we are less than a month away from Ramadhan, bi idhnillah.

Oh, and another thing. When we learn something, it's only proper that we follow through it with actions. That of course, should be the way. But it's not always easy as Allah swt, will present you with tests to test you if you would practise what you've learnt or be enlightened or reminded of. But that's alright, as much as we fail sometimes in rising up to His tests, His Mercy is so much more greater. Don't despair, keep trying again and again. Most importantly, don't give up. Because Allah swt never did, with us. :')

Eyes is one of the greatest blessings Allah has bestowed upon His Creatures. It’s therefore entrusted upon as an Amanah. With eyes, we are able to appreciate other blessings of Allah, in a better way. No doubt, it’s meant to help us to worship Allah excellently.

However, eyes is one of the most critical organs in human body, after the tongue. It determines what we choose and how we react to happenings surrounding us. We unlikely fall in love to something we haven’t’ seen, even when we are told about it. Unless it’s described in a creative way, that grants us virtual vision of the described objects.

When we talk about lowering one’s gaze, it’s not only applicable to particular gender. The requirement for Muslims to lower their gaze is applicable to males (Muslims) and females (Muslimahs). This is because, males and females share the same self-desires (Shahawat), which requires the use of eyes in achieving it.

Allah says in Surah Al-Nour, 24:30-31:

It means, “Tell the Believing Men to lower their gaze and remain chaste. That is purer for them. Allah is aware of what they do. Also, tell the Believing Women that they should lower their gaze and remain chaste…” 

I came across the following list of advice from the Islam Q&A website (http://islamqa.info/en/ref/20229). I’m highlighting some of them here (after rephrasing them, for the benefit of this book), in the hope, that we find them useful, and that they may guide us in the process of constant lowering of our gaze: 

• One has to bear in mind that Allah is watching him/her: Allah sees him and is with him wherever he goes. It may be a secretive glance of which your neighbour is unaware, but Allah knows of it. 

• Let’s seek the help of Allah: Beseeching Him and calling upon Him (du’a). 

• Constant conscious that eyes is a blessing and an Amanah, entrusted upon us: Blessings require us to be thankful for them, and trusts (Amanah) requires us to be responsible caregivers. 

• Practice makes perfect: We can train ourselves to lower our gaze. With time, one will perfect in doing so, insha Allah. 

• Remember that lowing our gaze instills great pleasure in one’s heart:“Whoever leaves something for Allah’s Sake, Allah will compensate him with something better.” [Hadeeth]. 

• Surround yourself with good company: “Show me your friend, and I’ll tell you, whom you are.” Good company will advise you, remind you and guide you. 

• Do yourself a favour: Avoid places where you feel you are likely to be exposed to the temptation of raising your gaze. This includes TV, websites, forum pages, window shopping (going to shopping malls just to spend time, not for specific need) and sitting in the street. 

May Allah swt guide us all and grant us the true knowledge and may He grant us taufiq in practising what we've learnt. InsyaAllah. Ameen.

Alhamdulillah, I've learnt something new from reading this article on IslamQA.com on the question of "What is meant by lowering the gaze?" May it be of benefit.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/85622