women and the like is. Likewise, looking lustfully at a beardless youth falls into this category. Scholars unanimously agree that this is forbidden, just as they unanimously agree that looking lustfully at a woman whom one may marry, or at female relatives whom one is permanently forbidden to marry, is forbidden.

The Creator, glorified is He, is to be glorified upon seeing any of His creatures. Creating a beardless youth is no greater a marvel of His power than creating a bearded man, nor is creating women any greater a marvel of His power than creating men. Rather, singling out the sight of a beardless youth, but not others, as an occasion for glorifying Allah is like doing so at the sight of a woman but not a man. This is not because what he sees points him to the Creator’s greatness, but because beauty unsettles his heart and mind. What he sees may overwhelm him, so that his glorification is prompted by the desire aroused within him. Similarly, when the women saw Joseph,

“they were awestruck by him and cut their hands, and said, ‘Allah forbid! This is no human being; this is nothing but a noble angel.’”

It is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet said:

“Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth; rather, He looks at your hearts and your deeds.”

If Allah does not look at appearances or wealth, but rather at hearts and deeds, how can a person be deemed superior on grounds by which Allah has not deemed him superior?

The Most High said:

“Do not let your eyes long for what We have given some groups among them to enjoy—the splendour of this worldly life.”

And He said of the hypocrites:

“When you see them, their bodies impress you, and when they speak, you listen to what they say. They are like propped-up timbers. They think every cry is directed against them