looking at him without lust, but with fear that it may be aroused?

There are two views on this within Ahmad’s school. The sounder of them—which is also reported as al-Shāfi‘ī’s explicit position—is that it is impermissible. The second is that it is permissible, because the presumption is that lust will not be aroused; mere doubt therefore does not make it forbidden, though it may be disliked.

The first view is stronger. Likewise, the stronger view within the schools of al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad is that looking at the face of an unrelated woman without a need is impermissible, even in the absence of lust, because of the fear that it may be aroused. This is also why being alone with an unrelated woman is forbidden: it is a likely occasion for temptation. The general principle is that anything that causes temptation is impermissible, for the means leading to corruption must be blocked unless outweighed by a greater benefit. Thus, looking that leads to temptation is forbidden unless it serves an overriding benefit, as when a suitor, physician or someone else looks for such a purpose. Looking is permitted when needed, but without lust. As for looking without a need at someone who is a source of temptation, this is impermissible.

Anyone who repeatedly looks at a beardless youth or someone similar, or prolongs his gaze, and says, “I am not looking out of lust,” is lying. If there is no reason that makes looking necessary, he looks only because of the pleasure it brings to his heart.

An unintentional glance, however, is pardoned if he turns his gaze away, as established in the Sahīh, where Jarīr said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah about an unintentional glance, and he said: