HOW TOUGH IS IT TO LOWER OUR GAZES?

Lowering the gaze. Well, it's easier said than done. But Alhamdulillah, there are many people I know who have successfully managed to lower their gazes with the continous Help of Allah (SWT). As for me, I'm trying very hard to lower my gaze as I should, so whatever I'm writing right now is first, a reminder to myself.

I've heard a Hadith that says that Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) once asked the Sahabi what the most precious thing for a woman was. None of the Sahaba replied, but Ali (ral) went home and repeated to the question to Fatimah (ral) to which she replied that the best thing for a woman is that she is neither seen by any non-mahram men nor does she see any non-mahrams. Ali (ral) repeated this answer to Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) and when asked who told Ali (ral) the answer, he replied it was Fatimah (ral). Prophet Muhammad (sallalu alaihi wasallam) then said, "Fatimah bint Muhammad, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Fatimah bint Muhammad. Fathima is really the son of Muhammad".

I know it's tough to lower our gazes, particularly when a good looking man or a pretty girl is right in front of your eyes. But that's what we have to do. And it's not impossible. I've really thought that lowering the gaze, particularly for teenagers is tough, but Masha Allah, my younger sister proved me wrong! I'm extremely proud that she is very, very strict with herself when it comes to lowering her gaze and I pray that Allah gives us the strength to do so.

Now, how to lower our gazes? First, we have to have the firm intention and pray to Allah that He strengthens us. It's a battle against our desires and we're striving against our ownselves solely for the Pleasure of Allah. This, my brothers and sisters, is the greater form of Jihad because this is a battle against yourself, against your desires and against the whispers of Shaytan. It takes huge, huge, courage, but it's possible, provided you have firm Imaan and Taqwa.

Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) said: “You will never give up something for the sake of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, but Allah will replace it with something that is better for you than it.” [Narrated by Ahmad]

When you give up doing something that Allah doesn't like solely for His sake, Allah WILL replace it with something much, much better. So just imagine that a really good-looking man/girl walks past you, and you lower your gaze, don't you think Allah will replace your sacrifice for something much better? Who knows, you might end up getting married to someone a hundred times more beautiful than the one you thought was beautiful! Subhanallah! No sacrifice of ours goes wasted. Allah will give us a better compensation.

So next time your tempted to look at a non-mahram, however lovely they may be, lower your gaze. This sacrifice of yours would undoubtedly, give you something much better. Something a lot more worth. Just keep this Hadith Qudsi in your mind when your tempted to see a non-mahram:

"The gaze is a poisonous arrow from among the arrows of Iblis (satan). Whoever protected his heart and gaze from this arrow due to My fear, I will grant him the sweetness of Iman that he will perceive in his heart."

Only you know how tough it is to lower your gaze, but your doing it for Allah right? So take that moment to make Dua to Allah. Put forward that sacrifice you did only for His sake and ask Him for whatever you want. Allah will answer it, no doubts about that!

I'm still striving to lower my gaze and although I may not be as successful in doing this as I wanted to be, I'm trying. And I know that when I try for the sake of Allah, Allah will guide me all along the way, In Sha Allah!