Hadith #8001

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

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

غَضُّ الطَّرْفِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ كَثِيرِ النَّظَرِ

which translates to

Lowering the gaze is better than staring.

This concise statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) carries profound wisdom and guidance for Muslims in their daily lives.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us first explore the important words used. "غَضُّ الطَّرْفِ" refers to lowering or averting one's gaze, while "كَثِيرِ النَّظَرِ" denotes excessive or prolonged staring. It is important to note that the Hadith does not prohibit looking at others, but rather emphasizes the virtue of modesty and self-control by discouraging prolonged and inappropriate gazes.

This guidance from Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of guarding one's gaze. In Surah An-Nur, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands the believers to lower their gazes and guard their modesty:

(Quran 24:30-31)

Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose 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 modesty and self-restraint in both men and women. By lowering their gazes, Muslims are encouraged to protect their hearts and minds from impure thoughts and desires. This practice fosters a sense of respect and honor towards others, promoting healthy interactions and preserving the sanctity of relationships.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked and prolonged staring. Excessive gazing can lead to objectification, lustful thoughts, and ultimately, immoral actions. By restraining our gaze, we demonstrate self-discipline and strengthen our spiritual resolve.

Moreover, lowering the gaze is not limited to interactions with the opposite gender. It extends to all aspects of life, including our consumption of media and our interactions with the world around us. In a society inundated with visual stimuli, the practice of lowering the gaze helps us maintain focus on what is beneficial and virtuous, while shielding ourselves from harmful influences.

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

Lowering the gaze is better than staring

serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to exercise self-restraint and modesty in their interactions. By adhering to this guidance, we protect our hearts and minds from impure thoughts, foster healthy relationships, and cultivate a sense of respect and honor towards others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to implement this teaching in our lives and purify our hearts.