at camels, how they were created?” The verses continue.

He also says:

“Say: Look at what is in the heavens and the earth.”

And He says:

“Have they not looked at what is before them and behind them of the heaven and earth?”

The verse continues. Likewise, Satan said:

“I see what you do not see.”

And He says:

“When the two armies came within sight of each other…”

The verses continue. And He says:

“When Allah showed them to you in your dream as few in number…”

The verse continues.

Looking at worldly enjoyments with love and reverence for this world and its people is forbidden. Looking at created things above and below, with reflection and a view to drawing lessons, is commanded and encouraged. As for looking upon such things in the course of jihad, enjoining right and forbidding wrong, in order to repel and remove those people’s evil, this is commanded. Likewise, looking to draw lessons is, in general, prescribed by religious law. Thus, looking at the very same object may be commanded, either to draw lessons or out of hatred for it, whereas looking at it out of aversion to jihad is forbidden. The same distinction applies to allegiance and enmity.

A person may fall into temptation through a forbidden gaze while supposing that he is looking to draw a lesson. Conversely, he may be commanded to engage in jihad yet suppose that the looking it entails would be a source of temptation, like those of whom Allah Most High says:

“Among them is one who says: Give me leave, and do not expose me to temptation.”

The verse continues. It was revealed concerning al-Jadd ibn Qays when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, ordered him to prepare for an expedition against the Romans. He said: “I am infatuated with women, and I fear being tempted by the Roman women, so allow me to remain behind.” Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, it is into temptation that they have fallen, and Hell will surely encompass the disbelievers.”