Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In these blessed hadiths, there is clear evidence of the fact that only Islam has taken concrete steps to protect humanity from every kind of harm, by declaring public roads and pathways as collective property of society. Therefore, it is not correct to sit and hold gatherings on them, as this may cause inconvenience to passersby, especially to veiled women, who dislike coming before people or passing in front of them. If, due to some necessity, one must sit on a pathway, then one should adopt such a manner that does not cause any harm to those passing by—for example, lowering the gaze from passing women, speaking good words, helping a person carrying a heavy load, cooperating with the oppressed and those in distress, guiding someone who is lost, and responding to greetings.

If these are the rights of highways and pathways in Islam, then how can it be permissible to establish encroachments on them, or to block them on the occasion of weddings, or for boys to start playing on the streets, thereby causing inconvenience to thousands of people? Unfortunately, this is common in our country. It can further be said that on narrow roads, turns, and inclines and declines, (LT sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that is, those with small vehicles, should be considerate of (HT sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that is, large transport vehicles, because it is difficult for trailers and trucks, etc., to get off the road.

Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah, while explaining this hadith, writes: These hadiths comprise several important Islamic etiquettes, which pertain to sitting on roads and in the courtyards of houses. Muslims should respect these etiquettes, especially those matters which are obligatory, such as lowering the gaze from women, which has also been commanded in several other hadiths, and Allah the Exalted says: {قُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَیَغُضُّوْا مِنْ اَبْصَارِھِمْ وَیَحْفَظُوْا فُرُوْجَھُمْ ذٰلِکَ اَزْکٰی لَھُمْ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ خَبِیْرٌ بِمَا یَصْنَعُوْنَ} … Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is well aware of what they do. (Surah al-Nur: 30)

Reflect that this command of Allah the Exalted was given directly to the first generation of the Islamic Ummah, i.e., the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum, even though they were pure and illuminated, and for them, it was not even possible to see any part of a woman’s body except her face and hands, as is evident from various hadiths—for example, the hadith of the Khath’amiyyah woman and the hadith of Bint Hubayrah, etc., which are mentioned in my works (Jilbab al-Mar’ah) and (Adab al-Zifaf).

I say: In that era, when it was only possible to see a woman’s face and hands, even then the command to lower the gaze was given. There is no doubt that in the present age, this command has become even more emphatic, in which women wear clothing and yet are naked. Regarding such women, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: There will be women who, though clothed, will be naked; they will attract people towards themselves and they themselves will be inclined towards them; their heads will be like the humps of Bactrian camels. Such women will not enter Paradise … . (Sahihah: 1326)

Therefore, it is obligatory upon every Muslim in general, and upon every Muslim youth in particular, to keep their gaze lowered, especially to avoid looking at immodest and provocative images displayed at various intersections. In such times, young people should, at the earliest opportunity, marry to protect themselves from these trials, and if unable to do so, should make a habit of fasting, as this curbs evil desires. Thus, I ask Allah the Exalted to grant us and all Muslims the ability to obey Him and protect us from disobedience to Him. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the Responsive.