terms of His power than the creation of men. Thus, for someone to single out the sight of a beardless youth for glorifying Allah, rather than the sight of anyone else, is like singling out the sight of a woman rather than a man. This is not because, in his eyes, it offers greater evidence of the Creator’s greatness, but because beauty affects his heart and mind. What he sees may overwhelm him, so that his glorification is prompted by the desire aroused within him. Likewise, when the women saw Joseph:

“They were overwhelmed by him, cut their hands, and exclaimed, ‘Allah forbid! This is no human being; this is none other than a noble angel.’”

It is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, 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 and wealth, but rather at hearts and deeds, how can one favour a person on grounds on which Allah has not favoured him?

The Exalted has also said:

“Do not gaze longingly at the splendour of worldly life We have granted some groups of them to enjoy, so that We may test them thereby.”

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 logs. They think every cry is directed against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them!”

If, then, Allah has said what He has said about these hypocrites, whose bodies impress the beholder because of their splendour, fine appearance, and outward adornment—even though they are not people one looks at with desire—what, then, of those whom one looks at with desire?