In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

O Muslims! Yes, do not be silent when any human being is oppressed- man or woman, but do not be oblivious of the root causes of sin and the only means to uprooting it.

The Importance of Marriage

Imaam Al-Bukhaari [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Chapter: The Statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): ”Whoever is able to marry, should marry, for that will help him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.)”. And should a person marry (even if) he has no desire for marriage?

Narrated Alqamah: while I was with Abdullaah, Uthman met him at Mina and said, ”O Abu Abdur-Rahmaan! I have something to say to you”. So both of them went aside and uthmaan said, ”O Abu Abdur-Rahmaan! Shall we marry you to a virgin who will make you remember your past days? When Abdullaah felt that he was not in need of that, he beckoned me (to join him) saying, ‘O Alqamah’. Then I heard him saying (in reply to Uthmaan), ‘As you have said that, (I tell you that) the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) once said to us, ‘O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry, and whoever is not able to marry, is recommended to observe fast as fasting will diminish his sexual strength”’.

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated: ”Therefore, to get marriage is the correct (thing to do) as a complete obligation upon the one who has Shahwa (sexual desires) even if he is not in fear of falling to Zinaa. This is with regards to the one whose situation allows him to get married. And in this is a (manifestation) of Uthman’s righteous moral conduct. It (shows) that the elderly person can get married as long as he has the strength for sexual relations. And the main address (in this hadith) is directed at the young people, because in most cases they possess greater desires and are more in need of that (i.e. fulfilment of such desires). [Ref 1]

An Affair That Should Make Us Shy In The Presence of Allaah – Whether We Are Married or Not – When The Soul Inclines Towards Sin

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعۡلَمُ مَا تُوَسۡوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفۡسُهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ ٱلۡوَرِيدِ
إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ۬
مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ۬

And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). [50:16-18]

Few Reminders from the above Aayaat: Allaah [The Most High] informed us that He alone created human beings-males and females- and He knows all their state of affairs. He knows everything that is hidden about them and what their own souls whisper to them. Allaah [The Most High] is nearer to them than their jugular veins by His knowledge, even though the jugular vein is the closest thing to the human. Therefore, this should make the human being mindful of Allaah -the One Who knows all the hidden affairs in the soul and heart of the human being in all circumstances. This should also make the human being shy in the presence of Allaah -that he [or she] is not seen committing what Allaah has forbidden or abandoning what Allaah has commanded. [Ref 2]

Abdullah Bin Mas’ood [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Be shy of Allaah (in a manner) shyness should be (established)”, so they [i.e. the Messenger’s companions (may Allaah be pleased with them)] said, “We do feel of Allaah, and all praise and thanks be to Allaah”. The prophet said, “It is not like that; rather the one who is truly shy of Allaah, let him safeguard his head and what it carries; safeguards the stomach and what it carries; remembers death and affliction. And he who wants the Afterlife should do away with the adornments of this life, then indeed he is truly shy of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]”.

Al-Mubaarakfooree [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated regarding the statement of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], “Be shy of Allaah (in a manner) shyness should be (established)”– Meaning: “A firm, abiding and truthful shyness”. And regarding the statement of the Messenger’s companions, “We do feel shy of Allaah”, Al-Mubaarakfooree said, “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! We do feel shy of Allaah and all praise and thanks be to Allaah’ but they did not say, ‘We are truly shy of Allaah’ due to their acknowledgement of the fact that they are unable to do so. And regarding their statement, ‘And all praise and thanks be to Allaah’ – Meaning, all praise and thanks be to Allaah for granting us Tawfeeq [i.e. for guiding and enabling us to perform righteous deeds]. And regarding the statement of the Messenger, “It is not like that”, Al-Mubaarakfooree said, “Meaning, true shyness is not what you think, rather it is to safeguard all the limbs against what is not pleasing to Allaah”.

And regarding the statement of the Messenger, “Rather the one who is truly shy of Allaah, let him safeguard his head and what it carries; safeguards the stomach and what it carries; remembers death and affliction. And he who wants the Afterlife should do away with the adornments of this life, then indeed he is truly shy of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]”. Al-Mubaarakfooree said, “Meaning, safeguard the head by refraining from utilising it in disobedience to Allaah – that is you do not make Sujood to other than Allaah; refrain from showoff whilst praying; do not lower your head (in humility) for other than the sake of Allaah, nor raise it out of pride. And with regards to what the head carries, such as the tongue, the eyes and the ears, do not utilise them for Haraam. Safeguard the stomach by refraining from eating Haraam as well as safeguarding what is connected to it – such as the private parts, the legs, the two hands and the heart- (from what is Haraam)”.

“Remembers death and affliction”– Meaning, remember death and your abode in the grave. “And he who wants the Afterlife should do away with the adornments of this life”– Meaning, because the two cannot be combined in a perfect manner, even those who are strong [in Eemaan] cannot do so [i.e. perfect desire for the afterlife has to be combined with abandoning those enjoyable things of the worldly life which one can do without]. So, whoever does this [i.e. the things mentioned this hadeeth], then indeed he is truly shy of Allaah. [Ref 3]

The Heart’s Attachment to Other Than Allaah, Indecency And Injustice – The Basis of all Sinful Behaviour

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: The basis of all sins – major and minor – are three: the heart’s attachment to other than Allaah, going along with the intense strength of one’s anger and the intense urge of one’s desires. These three affairs constitute shirk, injustice and indecency. Shirk and invoking other than Allaah is the ultimate affair related to the heart’s attachment to other than Allaah, murder is the ultimate affair related to going along with one’s intense anger and fornication is the ultimate affair related to going along with the intense urge of one’s desires. And because this Allaah mentioned the three together in the [following] Aayah:

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَ

And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse. [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayah 68]

These three affairs invite to one another – Shirk inevitably leads to injustice and indecency, just as Tawheed [sound Islamic Monotheism] and Ikhlaas [sincerity] turns a person away from them. Allaah [The Exalted] stated [about Prophet Yusuf (alayhis salaam)]: [ڪَذَٲلِكَ لِنَصۡرِفَ عَنۡهُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَٱلۡفَحۡشَآءَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ – Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and indecency. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves. [Surah Yusuf. Aayah 24] – Meaning, turned him away from infatuation and illegal sexual intercourse. Likewise, injustice inevitably leads to Shirk and indecency, because Shirk is the greatest injustice, just as Tawheed is the greatest justice. Justice is a companion of Tawheed and injustice is a companion of Shirk, and this is why Allaah mentioned both together.
As for Tawheed and justice, Allaah said: [شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ – Allah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 18]

As for injustice and Shirk, Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬ – Verily, Shirk is great injustice]. [Surah Luqmaan. Aayah 13]

Indecency leads to Shirk and Injustice, especially when there is a strong desire which cannot be reached except through some type of injustice, such as seeking help through magic and shaytaan. And indeed Allaah mentioned both fornication and Shirk together in the Aayah:

ٱلزَّانِى لَا يَنكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِيَةً أَوۡ مُشۡرِكَةً۬ وَٱلزَّانِيَةُ لَا يَنكِحُهَآ إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوۡ مُشۡرِكٌ۬‌ۚ وَحُرِّمَ ذَٲلِكَ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

The adulterer marries not but an adulteress, or a female polytheist and the adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a male polytheist [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely he is either an adulterer, or a polytheist)]. And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a male polytheist or an adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a female polytheist)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers [of Islamic Monotheism]. [Surah An-Noor. Aayah 3]

These three affairs [i.e. Shirk, Indecency and Injustice] can either be the cause of one another or inevitably lead to one another. And this is why whenever Tawheed in the heart is weaker and the Shirk in it is greater, it commits more indecency, becomes stronger in its attachment to images and infatuated with them. And what is similar to this is the statement of Allaah:

فَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّہِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ

So whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah (Paradise) is better and more lasting for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and put their trust in their Lord (concerning all of their affairs). And those who avoid the greater sins and indecency, and when they are angry, they forgive. [Surah Ash-Shooraa. Aayaat 36-37]

Allaah informed us that what He has with Him is better for the one who believes in Him and relies upon him, and that is Tawheed. Then Allaah said: [وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ – And those who avoid the greater sins and indecency] – Meaning, avoid the intense urge towards lowly desires. Then Allaah said: [وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ – And when they are angry, they pardon]. This opposes the intense strength of anger; so Allaah mentioned Tawheed, pardon and justice together, and they are that which gathers every good. [Ref 4]

The Extremely Difficult Circumstances That Surrounded Yusuf [alayhis Salaam] When The Wife of The King Sought to Seduce Him!

Imaam Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: Allaah has placed in man’s nature an inclination towards a woman, just like the inclination of a thirsty person towards water and that of a hungry person towards food. And even though many people do exercise patience with regards to their [desire] for food and drink, but not with regards to their [desire] for women. This is not blameworthy if it is in accordance with what is permissible, rather it is something praiseworthy.

Yusuf- at the time- was a young man and the sexual desire of a young man is much stronger. He was a bachelor, a slave of the king’s wife and was bought for a few dirhams. And a slave has no control over his affairs. He was a stranger in the land and a stranger in a strange land can fulfil his [evil] desires, which he is not able to fulfil in his own land, in the presence of his family and those who know him well [i.e. because he feels ashamed]

The wife of the King was a woman of high status and beauty; so one these two [affairs] would urge a person to agree with her request. The wife of the king was accessible [i.e. she was willing to commit the evil act of zina]. She sought after Yusuf; she desired him and was infatuated with him. Yusuf was living in her house, under her authority and would have feared being harmed for refusing to obey her. Yusuf was safe from being exposed because she sought after him and locked the doors. She also appeared in her best adornment and said to Yusuf, ‘Come on O you!’ She also threatened Yusuf with imprisonment and belittlement. She sought the assistance of the rest of the women and Yusuf sought the assistance of Allaah against them. Despite all these difficult circumstances surrounding Yusuf (alayhis-salaam), he exercised patience and preferred obedience to his Lord. He preferred the pleasure of Allaah and fear of Him. His love of Allaah made him choose imprisonment over committing zina. He said: [قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ ] ‘He said: ‘O my Lord! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me.’ [12:33]

So What Was The End Result? Yusuf was granted honour and authority in the land. He was mentioned with good and beautiful praise. This was his reward in this worldly life and his reward in the hereafter is Paradise. [Ref 5]

Women Are Not Sexual Objects

The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: “Verily the worldly life is sweet and green, and verily Allaah is going to place you as successors upon it in and will see how you act. So, be mindful of the dunyaah and be mindful of women; verily the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was caused by women.” [Saheeh Muslim: No 2742) (Ibn Maajah: No 4000) (Ahmad: 3:22)]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said regarding the statement of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], “Verily The Worldly Life Is Sweet And Green”- meaning: Sweet in taste and green in its image. And when something is green and sweet, the eye seeks it first and then the Nafs; and when the eye and the nafs come together in seeking after something, the human being is drawn close to falling into it. The worldly life is sweet in its taste and green in its image, so the human being is deceived by it and pre-occupied with it. He places greater importance on it than what is due to it (of importance). However, the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) has made it known that Allaah is going to place us as successors upon (the earth) in order to see how we act; whether we will be obedient to Him, forbid the nafs from desires, fulfil what Allaah has enjoined upon us and not allow the worldly life to deceive you or whether the opposite will take place? This is why he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Be Mindful Of The Worldly Life”, that is: fulfil what you have been commanded and refrain from that which you have been forbidden, and do not let the sweetness and radiance of this worldly life to deceive you, as Allaah said: [فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّڪُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّڪُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡغَرُورُ – [Let not then this (worldly) present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allaah]. [31:33]

Then he [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] stated, “So Be Mindful Of The Worldly Life And Be Mindful Of Women”- meaning: Be mindful of them. This includes a warning to the woman with regards to her plot(s) against her husband and also a warning against women and the trial that can occur through them. And for that reason he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Verily The First Trial For The Children Of Israa’eel Was Caused By Women”. They were put to trial through women, thus they went astray and led others astray, and Allaah refuge is sought!

And for this reason, we find that at present our enemies are focused on women issues. [They focus] on adorning women, intermingling them and make them share the same occupations with men, until it becomes as if the people are donkeys having no other concern except for their stomachs and canal desires, and Allaah’s Refuge is sought! Women are portrayed as if they are mere images, that is: pictures (which) people attached no importance to except that which is connected to the woman’s figure (outward appearance). See how they have decorated and beautified her! See how they have brought about beautifications for her and presented her in a desirable condition, in relation to (her) hair, skin, legs, arms, face and everything else; until they make it the most important issue for the woman, like a picture made out of plastic. They neither present to her the importance of establishing Ibaadah nor bearing children. [Slightly paraphrased] [Ref 6]

Exposing The Awrah

Abu Salih reported: Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Some women are clothed but naked, inclining to evil and seducing with it. They will not enter Paradise, nor smell its fragrance, even though it can be found from a distance of five hundred years of travel.” [Ref 7]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This has been explained to mean that they will wear short clothing that does not cover the parts of the body one is obligated to cover [i.e. the entire body of a woman is to be covered besides the face and hands]. It has been explained to mean that they will wear revealing clothing that does not prevent one from seeing the woman’s skin. And it has been explained to mean that they will wear tifght clothing which covers the body, but reveals that which leads to trial through a woman. [Ref 8]

NB: Regarding the statement ”They will not enter Paradise, nor smell its fragrance, even though it can be found from a distance of five hundred years of travel”. Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, ”The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than Shirk] are under the will of Allaah- if Allaah wishes, He will either punish or forgive them straight away, or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases]. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] [Ref 9]

Shaytaan Entices Humankind to Expose The Awrah

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Indeed shaytaan’s enmity towards the human being is an old affair since the time of his father Aadam [alayhis-salaam]. He has not ceased plotting against the human being in order to destroy him, as Allah stated [that shaytaan] said: [لَٮِٕنۡ أَخَّرۡتَنِ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ لَأَحۡتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ – If You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely seize and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a few!’ [17:62]

And one of the greatest plots of shaytaan against the human being is the uncovering of the private parts due to what is found in that of obscenity and immorality, loss of shyness and modesty. So he conspired against Aadam and his wife to eat from the forbidden tree, ‘In order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts’ [7:20]

So, Aadam [alayhis-salaam] sinned and Allah censured him for that. He turned repentant to Allah and Allah forgave him, and cut off the path towards listening to shaytaan. However, the effect of the sin remained, [and led to] his expulsion from Paradise. This increased Aadam in repentance and striving in obedience to his Lord. ‘Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance’ [20:122] So, shaytaan failed in attaining his goal and there came about for Aadam nobility and a good end, which shaytaan could not take away.

Then Allah [Glorified be He] warned the children of Aadam against the plots of this enemy who did what he did to their father, so that they are not deceived and made to fall into destruction through the path of negligence with regards to uncovering the private parts. Allaah [Glorified be He] provided them with two [types] of garments to cover their private parts: The garment to cover and beautify themselves and the garment that shields them from sins and beatifies them both outwardly and inwardly, and that is the garment of piety that is made to settle in their hearts. Allah [Glorified be He] said: [يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسً۬ا يُوَٲرِى سَوۡءَٲتِكُمۡ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ – O Children of Aadam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment; and the raiment of taqwah, that is better’ [7:26]

[يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَنَّڪُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ كَمَآ أَخۡرَجَ أَبَوَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنۡہُمَا لِبَاسَہُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءَٲتِہِمَآ‌ۗ – O Children of Aadam! Let not shaytaan deceive you, as he got your parents [Aadam and Hawwaa] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts’ [7:27]

Allah did not issue this warning to His slaves, except that because shaytaan would be pleased to gain victory over them again, so that he may command them [to commit the act of] nudity and removal of the covering and garment of modesty due to what is in that of evil aims and lowly desires. Indeed, he executed this plot against the people of the era of Pre-Islamic ignorance; he ordered men and women to perform Tawaaf around the kabah (whilst) naked, and he said to them: “Do not perform Tawaaf with the clothes you wore whilst being disobedient to Allah’. So, they obeyed him and argued that this is what they found their forefathers upon and that it is what Allah commanded them. [Ref 10]

In Seclusion With a Stranger

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [hafidhahullaah] said: It is neither permissible for a man to be in seclusion with a woman in a house, a car or another place, nor is it permissible for a woman to be in seclusion with a strange man in a house, a car or another place. This is due to the saying of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), “Let not any of you be in seclusion with a woman, except in the presence of a male relative of hers.” (i.e. a relative she is not allowed to marry, such as her father, husband, brother, uncle, grandfather etc ) [Bukhaari and Muslim]

And also in (Bukhaari and Muslim) the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, “A man is not secluded with a woman, except that shaytaan is the third of them”. The impermissible seclusion is that which includes behind closed doors or in a room, a car and what is similar to it, or being out of sight. These are the cases of forbidden seclusion and this is how it is defined by the jurists. [Ref 11]

Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah] said: Firstly: Allaah commanded (us) to lower the gaze because the eyes are a means among the means to fornication. [Allaah said: قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ – Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) 24:30]. Therefore, lowering the gaze is a means to protecting the private parts. And Allaah (جلال وعلا) said: [يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ – Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal (40:19)]
What is fraud of the eyes? It is when one steals a glance at what Allaah has forbidden. When (a person) is with the people and the people are looking at him, he lowers his gaze; but when he sees that they are inattentive, he steals a glance at the unlawful. This is the fraud of the eyes and Allaah knows about it. [Ref 12]

Imaam Maymoon Bin Mehraan [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Do not go to a woman [i.e. a strange woman] even if you say, ‘I am going to teach him the Qur’aan and do not lend an ear to a person of desires [i.e. a proponent of religious innovations] because you do not know what your heart will become attached to.” [Ref 13]
Al-Alaa Bin Ziyaad [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “Do not [allow] your eyes to follow the garment of a woman because one’s gaze places desire in the heart’’. [Ref 14]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh al Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Safety from the fitnah of women is by way of lowering the gaze, distancing oneself from paying attention to them and [distancing oneself from] following them. Allaah [The Most High] said:

 قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts from (illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what you do]. [24:30]

So, lower your gaze from that which Allaah has made forbidden and do not enter places of fitnah so that you are safeguarded. This is one of the means to safety from fitnah. [Ref 15]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: ”Lowering one’s gaze is a means to protecting the private parts and not restraining one gaze is a means to corrupting the private parts. Therefore, if you want to protect your private parts from lewdness, lower your gaze. If you leave your eyesight roam about freely – looking at what Allaah has made unlawful- then indeed it will lead you to lewdness”. [Ref 16]

Free Mixing In The Schools, Colleges – By Committee of Senior Scholars

The reason behind the prohibition against free mixing between men and women is due to fear of falling into fitnah, lest it becomes a means to committing lewd acts; (a means) to violating the honour of women and corrupting the society. And indeed these affairs can become a greater reality through free mixing in education. Therefore, it (free mixing in education) is forbidden. [Ref 17]

More on free mixing on this link
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/free-mixing-between-the-sexes-in-islam-a-detailed-discussion/

Hijaab Of The Muslim Woman and It’s Conditions: Download Leaflet
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/hijaab-of-the-muslim-woman-and-its-conditions-download-leaflet/

We ask Allaah to keep us and our families chaste Aameen.

[Ref 1: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taleeqaat Al-baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree Volume 4; Hadith No:5065; Footnote Number 2]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 3: Tuhfatul Ahwadhiy. 7/131. Slightly paraphrased]
[An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id 131-132. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 5: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Asbaab Wal A’maal Allatee Yudaa-afu Bihaa Ath-Thawaab’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) pages: 55-58]
[Ref 6: An Excerpt from this lecture: https://safeshare.tv/x/fKxP_Mt7o9w# ]
[Ref 7: Al-Muwaṭṭa 1694]
[Ref 8: Fataawaa Shaikh Muhammad Bin Utrhaymeen. 2/825]
[Ref 9: https://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/2527%5D
[Ref 10: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Bayaan Li-Akhtaa’i Ba’dil Kuttaab’ page 3/135-136. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 11: Source: Al-Mindhaar Fee Bayaani Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-shaa-i-a: 112-113 of Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh]
[Ref 12: It’haaf At-Tullaab Bi-Sharhi Mandhommah Al’Aadaab pages 89- 90. paraphrased]
[Ref 13: Hilyatul Awliyaa (Tahdheeb) 2/54]
[Ref 14: Az-Zudh By Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah). 311]
[Ref 15: Source: Sil-silatu Mu-allifaat Fadheelatus Sheikh No: 7. page: 43-44]
[Ref 16: It’haaf At-Tullaab Bi-Sharhi Mandhommah Al’Aadaab’ page 87. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 17: Fataawaa Al-Lajnah Ad-Daa’imah 12/169]