Hadith #8003

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic phrase of the Hadith is

غَضُّ الطَّرْفِ مِنْ كَمالِ الظَّرْفِ

Let us delve into the meanings of these words to better understand the profound wisdom contained in this statement.

The word (ghadd) "غَضُّ" means to lower or cast down. It refers to the act of averting one's gaze or looking away from something that is inappropriate or forbidden. This action is a manifestation of self-control and modesty, as it prevents one from indulging in unlawful or immoral sights.

The word (tarf) "طَرْفِ" means the eye or the gaze. It represents the faculty of sight and the ability to perceive the world around us. It is through our eyes that we interact with the external environment and take in information.

The word (kamal) "كَمالِ" means perfection or completeness. It signifies the state of being flawless and reaching the pinnacle of excellence in a particular aspect. In this context, it refers to the perfection of one's character and conduct.

The word (zarf) "ظَرْفِ" means gracefulness or elegance. It implies the quality of being refined and dignified in one's manners and behavior. It encompasses traits such as humility, modesty, and self-restraint.

Now, let us explore the profound wisdom contained in this Hadith in light of the Quran. 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 emphasizes the importance of lowering the gaze for men, as it is a means of safeguarding their modesty and purity. By averting their eyes from inappropriate sights, they protect themselves from falling into sin and maintain their dignity as believers.

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

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.

This verse highlights the importance of modesty and the obligation for women to lower their gaze. It emphasizes the need to protect one's chastity and not to display one's adornment except to those mentioned in the verse.

Imam Ali's statement,

Lowering the gaze is from perfect gracefulness,

beautifully encapsulates the essence of these Quranic teachings. It reminds us that the act of averting our gaze from that which is forbidden is not only a sign of self-control and modesty but also a reflection of our commitment to attaining perfection in our character and conduct.

By lowering our gaze, we demonstrate our respect for the boundaries set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our desire to uphold the values of purity and righteousness. It is a conscious choice to prioritize our spiritual well-being over momentary gratification.

Moreover, this act of self-restraint has far-reaching consequences. It protects our hearts from being tainted by sinful desires and prevents the negative consequences that may arise from indulging in forbidden sights. It helps us maintain a clear conscience and a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

Lowering the gaze is from perfect gracefulness,

serves as a reminder for all Muslims to exercise self-control and modesty in their interactions with the world. It highlights the importance of guarding our eyes and hearts from that which is forbidden, as it is a means of attaining perfection in our character and conduct. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to implement this noble teaching in our lives.