Here, this ruling should also be borne in mind that if one’s gaze unintentionally falls upon a non-mahram woman, it is wajib to look away immediately, and to look again is impermissible. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to Sayyiduna ‘Ali al-Murtada کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم, “O ‘Ali! Do not follow the first glance with a second (i.e. if your eyesight falls upon a woman, unintentionally, then avert your gaze immediately and do not look again), because the first glance is permissible and the second is not.”^[1]

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’imi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states that the meaning of the first glance is that which unintentionally falls on a non-mahram woman, and the second glance is that which is intentional.  If one persists in the first glance, it will also be in the ruling of the second; therefore, one will be sinful for this first glance.^[2]

Another Madani pearl we gain from this account is that despite being deprived of the blessing of sight, the pious servants of Allah Almighty would still go to the masjid and offer prayer in congregation. They would have the mindset that even if we do not have the blessing of sight, we still have the blessing of other limbs, such as hands, feet etc. Therefore, these noble personalities would take the support of someone in reaching the masjid to attain the blessings of offering prayer in congregation.

If only we gain true appreciation for blessings, protection of our eyes, the blessing of attending the masjid and a passion for offering prayers in congregation for the sake of these pious predecessors.

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه Inspiring Muslims with the mindset of being punctual in attending the masjid and offering prayer in congregation, the renowned spiritual guide and leader of Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas