Hadith #8000

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

غَضُّ الطَّرْفِ مِنَ المُرُوءَةِ۔

This can be translated as

Lowering the gaze is a sign of magnanimity.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ghadd) "غَضُّ" means to lower or cast down. It refers to the act of averting one's gaze from that which is inappropriate or forbidden. The term (tarf) "طَرْفِ" refers to the eyes or the gaze. And (muruwwah) "مُرُوءَةِ" can be translated as magnanimity, nobility, or chivalry.

Lowering the gaze is a virtue emphasized in both the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nur (24:30):

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.

This verse clearly instructs Muslim men to lower their gaze, as it is a means of guarding their modesty and purity.

Similarly, in Surah An-Nur (24:31), Allah addresses the believing women:

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not display their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.

These verses highlight the importance of lowering the gaze for both men and women. It is a commandment from Allah, intended to protect our modesty and maintain a pure and chaste society. By lowering our gaze, we demonstrate our obedience to Allah and our commitment to upholding the values of Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes the significance of lowering the gaze by stating that it is a sign of magnanimity. Magnanimity refers to the quality of being noble, generous, and honorable. When we lower our gaze, we display self-control and discipline. We resist the temptations of the world and prioritize our spiritual well-being over momentary desires.

Lowering the gaze not only protects us from falling into sin, but it also cultivates a sense of respect and dignity in our interactions with others. It shows that we value their privacy and honor their boundaries. By practicing this virtue, we contribute to a society that is characterized by modesty, decency, and mutual respect.

Moreover, lowering the gaze is not limited to avoiding inappropriate sights. It also encompasses abstaining from engaging in backbiting, gossip, and slander. When we refrain from casting our gaze upon that which is forbidden, we also refrain from engaging in speech that is harmful and detrimental to others. This further exemplifies the magnanimity and noble character that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights in this Hadith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of lowering our gaze as a sign of magnanimity. It is a commandment from Allah, as mentioned in the Quran, and it serves to protect our modesty and maintain a pure society. By practicing this virtue, we demonstrate self-control, respect for others, and a commitment to upholding the values of Islam. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt and grant us the strength to lower our gaze in all aspects of our lives.