Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi also transmitted it, and al-Tirmidhi declared the report to be sound and good.
1627 – Abu Saʿīd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A man must not look at the private parts of another man, nor should a woman look at the private parts of another woman. A man must not lie with another man beneath a single garment, nor should a woman lie with another woman beneath a single garment.” Narrated by Muslim.
Explanation
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—quotes in his Riyad al-Salihin, under the chapter “The prohibition of looking at a non-mahram woman or at a handsome beardless youth without a legitimate need,” the narration from Jarir ibn ʿAbd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him). Jarir was asked about the sudden glance, and he said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed, “Turn your gaze away.” The “sudden glance” is the look that takes a person by surprise—such as when a woman unexpectedly passes by with her face uncovered. The Prophet’s command “Turn your gaze away” means to shift it to the right or left so that you do not keep looking. From this hadith we learn that it is forbidden for a man to look at a woman; however, if the glance occurs suddenly, it is excused because it was involuntary, and whatever happens without a person’s choice Allah has pardoned.
As for the second hadith, that of Umm Salamah: she was with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Maymunah when ʿAbd Allah ibn Umm Maktum, a blind man, entered. This took place after the revelation of the command to veil. The Prophet told them to observe the veil before him, saying to Umm Salamah and Maymunah, “Observe the veil from him,” meaning from Ibn Umm Maktum even though he was blind. They replied, “Messenger of Allah, he is a blind man; he does not see us or recognize us.” He answered, “Are the two of you blind as well? Veil yourselves from him.” Thus he instructed them to cover themselves from the man even though he was blind.
However, this hadith is weak, for the authentic narrations all contradict it, since the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said