mother and son, or foster brother and sister, appropriate segregation does not apply.^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

If we study the lives of the friends of Allah concerning the protection of one’s gaze, we will find many pearls of wisdom. For instance, these blessed individuals strictly adhered to the rulings of Shariah and were embodiments of modesty and shame from head to toe. Alongside other limbs, they possessed an exceptional mindset regarding the protection of their eyes, refraining not only from speaking to a non-maḥram, but even from casting a glance in her direction. As a source of encouragement, let us listen to three faith-inspiring accounts and make the intention that, by acting upon the commands of Shariah and emulating the practice of the friends of Allah, we too will protect our gaze, اِنْ شَآءَ اللہ.

He Always Kept His Head and Eyes Lowered!

It is stated on page 529, volume 1, of the book ‘Iḥyā-ul-ꜤUlūm’, published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah: It is narrated that Sayyidunā RabīꜤ b. Khaythamرَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ always kept his head and eyes lowered, to the extent that some people thought he was blind. For twenty years, he frequented the home of Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. MasꜤūd رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ. Whenever the female servant of Ibn MasꜤūd رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ  saw him approaching, she would say, “Your blind friend has arrived.”

Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. MasꜤūdرَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ  would smile upon hearing her words. When he knocked at the door, the female servant would come out and see him with his head and eyes lowered. When Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. MasꜤūd رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ  saw Sayyidunā RabīꜤ b. Khaytham رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, he would recite this sacred verse: