Alas, nowadays the eyes are not safeguarded from Haraam. People remain busy satisfying their Nafs by looking at Haraam and do not shy away from it. Always remember! Our eyes are an immense gift from Allah Almighty. By using them properly, we are able to look upon Halal things and gain untold reward by doing so. However, by using them improperly, we will find ourselves subjected to severe punishment.

For example, if an obedient son looks at his mother with love, he shall receive the reward of an accepted Hajj. On the other hand, if someone were to look at a non-Mahram with lust, he will be deserving of punishment in the Hellfire, because looking at a non-Mahram woman is the fornication of the eyes.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that the final Prophet of Allah Almighty صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: اَلْعَيْنَانِ تَزْنِيَانِ - ‘The eyes also fornicate.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2, p. 84, Hadith 3912)

Also, in a narration reported by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, it is stated: زِنَا الْعَيْنَيْن النَّظَرُ - ‘The fornication of the eyes is to gaze.’ (Abu Dawood, vol. 2, p. 358, Hadith 2152)

The eyes will be filled with fire

Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad bin Muhammad Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states: ‘The individual who does not possess the power to close his eyes (meaning, refrain from looking upon Haraam), will not be able to safeguard his private parts (from sinful activities).’ (Ihya ‘Uloom al-Deen, vol. 3, p. 125)

Sayyiduna ‘Alaa bin Ziyad رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states:

لَا تَتَّبِعْ بَصَرَكَ رِدَاءَ الْمَرْاَةِ فَاِنَّ النَّظَرَ يَجْعَلُ فِی الْقَلْبِ شَهْوَةً - ‘Do not place your gaze even upon the cloak of a woman, for the gaze causes lust to enter the heart.’ (Hilyat al-Awliya, vol. 277, p. 2, Raqm, 2217)

A needle of fire

Sayyiduna ‘Allamah Abul Faraj Abd-ur-Rahman bin Jawzi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه