Understanding the Meaning of Zina of Eyes: A Comprehensive Guide

The Meaning of Zina of Eyes ~ Hi, dear readers! In this article, I will explain a type of Zina that is often discussed by Muslims: Zina of Eyes. This refers to a sin that is frequently committed and often misunderstood, which is why I wrote this article. I will clarify several important aspects, as follows:

I hope that after reading this article, you will have a better understanding of the significant aspects of Zina of Eyes.

What is Zina of Eyes?

In general, Zina of Eyes refers to looking at something that is prohibited in Islam. This includes seeing things that can lead to enmity, cause harm, or arouse inappropriate desires, among others. Thus, the standard for Zina of Eyes is the act of viewing anything that has been prohibited by Islam.

The primary concern with Zina of Eyes is the harm caused by gazing at forbidden things. For example, Muslim men are strictly forbidden from looking at women who are not their Mahram unless there is a justifiable reason, such as teaching or engaging in positive social activities. If male Muslims gaze at them without justification, it can lead to serious transgressions.

If a male Muslim sees a woman who is not his Mahram with a noble intention, such as teaching her, that is not considered Zina of Eyes. We can find this clarification in the hadith below:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَقِيَ رَكْبًا بِالرَّوْحَاءِ فَقَالَ : مَنْ الْقَوْمُ ؟ قَالُوْا : الْمُسْلِمُوْنَ . فَقَالُوْا : مَنْ أَنْتَ ؟ قَالَ : رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . فَرَفَعَتْ إِلَيْهِ اِمْرَأَةٌ صَبِيًّا فَقَالَتْ : أَلِهَذَا حَجٌّ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ وَلَكِ أَجْرٌ . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Ibn Abbas (radliyallahu anhuma), it is narrated that the Prophet (Muhammad) (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) met a group of people riding in vehicles in ar-Rauha’. He then asked, “Who are these people?” They answered, “The Muslims.” They then asked, “Who are you?” He replied, “Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).” Then a woman raised a child and asked, “Can this child perform Hajj?” He replied, “Yes, and you will receive a reward for it.” This hadith is narrated by Muslim.

In the hadith above, it is clear that the Prophet Muhammad spoke to a woman who was not his Mahram for a very noble purpose—answering her question regarding the legality of Hajj for young children. Of course, in the context of this question-and-answer exchange, we can infer that he saw the woman.

Zina of Eyes is strictly prohibited in Islam, as supported by verses from the Quran and hadith, which I will discuss in the next section.

Quran About Zina of Eyes

The two verses of the Quran regarding the prohibition of Zina of Eyes are as follows:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

Say to the men who believe, "Let them lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that is purer for them. Allah is All-Aware of what they do." (An-Nur: 30).

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَىٰ عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Say to the women who believe, "Let them lower their gaze, guard their private parts, and not display their adornments except what is apparent. They should draw their veils over their chests, and they must not reveal their adornments except to their husbands, fathers, sons-in-law, sons, their husbands' sons, brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, or other Muslim women, or those whom their right hands possess, or male servants who have no desire for women, or children who are unaware of women's private parts. And let them not strike their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornments. And all of you repent to Allah, O believers, that you might succeed." (An-Nur: 31).

Hadith About Zina of Eyes

The hadith regarding the prohibition of Zina of Eyes is as follows:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا : كَانَ الْفَضْلُ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ رَدِيْفَ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . فَجَاءَتْ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ خَثْعَم فَجَعَلَ الْفَضْلُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا وَتَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ , وَجَعَلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَصْرِفُ وَجْهَ الْفَضْلِ إِلَى الشِّقِّ الْآخَرِ , فَقَالَتْ : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ , إِنَّ فَرِيْضَةَ اللهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ فِيْ الْحَجِّ , أَدْرَكْتُ أَبِيْ شَيْخًا كَبِيْرًا لَايَثْبُتُ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ : أَفَأَحُجُّ عَنْهُ ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ . وَذَلِكَ فِيْ حَجِّ الْوَدَاعِ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Ibn Abbas (radliyallahu anhuma), "Al-Fadl bin Abbas (radliyallahu anhu) once rode behind the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). A woman from Khats'am came, and Al-Fadl kept looking at her, and she looked at him. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) then turned Al-Fadl's face to the other side. The woman then said, "O Messenger of Allah! The obligation that Allah has placed upon His servants is Hajj. I knew that my father was very old and unable to travel. Can I perform Hajj for him?" He replied, "Yes." This incident occurred during the Farewell Hajj (Hajj al-Wada)." The hadith is narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Consequences of Zina of Eyes

Now, what are the consequences of Zina of Eyes?

As one of the types of sins we must avoid, a person who commits Zina of Eyes will face consequences. However, I personally do not fully understand what those consequences are. When I was a child, I often heard explanations that if someone commits Zina of Eyes, then that person's eyes will be punished in Hell.

One definite consequence is that if a person commits Zina of Eyes, their mind and heart will not find peace until they repent. Their thoughts, imagination, and heart will be preoccupied with the things they have seen. As a result, they will struggle to concentrate during acts of worship that require full attention. This is a very real consequence.

How to Repent for Zina of Eyes?

Now, perhaps the most important question we should consider is: how to repent for Zina of Eyes?

This question is quite logical because Zina of Eyes is a sin that must be atoned for.

It is essential to understand that the sin of Zina of Eyes occurs when the eyes behold things that are prohibited by Islam. Therefore, we can seek forgiveness for Zina of Eyes by performing ablution (wudu), reciting Istighfar, and ensuring that we do not repeat the same mistakes.

Dear readers, those are some important points about Zina of Eyes. Do you understand? If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

I think that’s all for this article. May it be beneficial. Ameen!

See you again in the next article!