290 – Chapter: The prohibition of looking at a non-maḥram woman or at an attractive, beardless youth when there is no legitimate Sharīʿah need.

Allah the Exalted says, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze …” (Q 24:30). And He says, “Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—each of these will be called to account.” (Q 17:36). And He says, “He knows the furtive glance of the eyes (1) and what the hearts conceal.” (Q 40:19). And He says, “Surely your Lord is ever on the watch.” (Q 89:14).

1630 – Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Decreed for every son of Adam is his share of adultery; he will inevitably encounter it. The adultery of the eyes is the glance, the adultery of the ears is listening, the adultery of the tongue is speech, the adultery of the hand is taking hold, the adultery of the foot is walking, and the heart longs and desires, and the private parts either confirm that or deny it.” Agreed upon. This is Muslim’s wording; al-Bukhārī’s narration is abridged.

1631 – Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Beware of sitting in the thoroughfares!” They said, “Messenger of Allah, we have no alternative; we must have places in which to sit and talk.” He replied, “If you refuse but to sit, then give the road its due.” They asked, “And what is the road’s due, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Lowering the gaze, refraining from harm, returning the greeting of peace, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong.” Agreed upon.

1632 – Abū Ṭalḥah Zayd ibn Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “We used to sit in the open courtyards (2) and talk there. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and stood over us, saying, ‘What is it with you and these roadside gatherings? Avoid the roadside gatherings.’ We replied, ‘We have only sat here for no harmful purpose; we have sat…’