What Is Zina of the Eyes? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Meaning and Implications in Islam

Are you looking for an explanation of "What is Zina of the Eyes"? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will explain here. As Muslims, it is essential for us to understand this concept, which is why I wrote this article. So, be sure to read it to the end.

Specifically, there are some important aspects of "Zina of the Eyes" that I will explain in this article. The key points I will cover are as follows:

What Is Zina of the Eyes?

The first important aspect of "What is Zina of the Eyes?" that I'm going to explain now is a specific definition. I want you to understand this before you read further because it is the most basic thing about this concept that you must grasp.

In general, Zina of the Eyes refers to seeing things that are prohibited by Islam, such as viewing something that can lead to hostility, cause harm, or increase libido, among other things. Therefore, the standard for Zina of the Eyes is seeing something that has been forbidden by Islam.

Read Also: Understanding the Meaning of Zina of Eyes

The real issue with Zina of the Eyes is the damage caused by viewing forbidden things. For example, Muslim men are strictly prohibited from looking at women who are not their Mahram unless the circumstances are justified by Islam, such as in teaching or beneficial social activities. If Muslim men gaze at them otherwise, it leads to a very reprehensible act.

That's a brief explanation of "What is Zina of the Eyes?". As Muslims, we must understand this.

Zina of the Eyes in the Quran and Hadith

The second important aspect of "What is Zina of the eyes?" that I will explain now is its mention in the Quran and Hadith. It is crucial for you to understand this because the Quran and Hadith are the two main references for Muslims to comprehend the teachings of Islam, including the concept of Zina of the eyes.

Read Also: Dua for Forgiveness of Zina

Zina of the Eyes in the Quran

Regarding Zina of the eyes in the Quran, it is addressed as follows:

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

Say to the believing men, "Let them lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, 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

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which is apparent. 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, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, or their women, or those their right hands possess, or male attendants, having no physical desire, or children who are unaware of private aspects of women. And let them not strike their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And repent to Allah, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (An-Nur: 31)

That's a brief explanation of Zina of the eyes in the Quran. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Zina of the Eyes in Hadith

As for Zina of the eyes in Hadith, it is described 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 (may Allah be pleased with them), "Al-Fadl bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was riding behind the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Then a woman from Khath'am came, and Al-Fadl kept looking at her while she looked at him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) turned Al-Fadl's face to the other side. The woman then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, the obligation that Allah has given to His servants is Hajj. I know that my father is very old and unable to ride. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He replied, ‘Yes.' This occurred during the Farewell Hajj." The hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Read Also: Zina After Marriage in Islam

That's a brief explanation of Zina of the eyes in the Hadith. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Punishment for Zina of the Eyes in the Quran and Hadith

The third important aspect of "What is Zina of the eyes?" that I will explain now is the punishment for Zina of the eyes as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. It is essential for you to understand this to have a complete grasp of what we are discussing.

Punishment for Zina of the Eyes in the Quran

Now I will explain the punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Quran. To be honest, we may not find any specific explanation regarding this in the Quran. At least, that's what I have found. However, we can infer the punishment by understanding the Quranic verses that address Zina of the eyes.

Read Also: How to Repent for Zina in Islam

If we reflect on the two verses of the Quran that explain Zina of the eyes, we can conclude the following:

1. The punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Quran is that the person who commits it will incur a sin. I believe we all understand the negative consequences we face when we commit sins. I won't elaborate on that here.
2. The punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Quran is that the person who engages in it will experience anxiety. Their heart and mind will not find peace. In fact, it is very likely that they will become obsessed with committing various sinful acts after indulging in Zina of the eyes. I reached this conclusion because one of the reasons for prohibiting Zina of the eyes is to ensure that the hearts and minds of Muslims remain pure and calm.

That is a brief explanation of the punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Quran. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Punishment for Zina of the Eyes in Hadith

Now I will explain the punishment for Zina of the eyes in Hadith. The situation is similar to the previous discussion. If we search for it, we will not find any specific explanation. At least, that's what I have discovered. However, we can predict the punishment by understanding the Hadith that addresses Zina of the eyes.

Read Also: Consequences of Committing Zina in Islam

If we consider the Hadith that explains Zina of the eyes, we can conclude the following:

1. In general, the punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Hadith aligns with the punishment mentioned in the Quran: that individuals who commit this act will incur a sin.
2. The punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Hadith is that the person who engages in it will experience worry. Their heart and mind will be troubled. In fact, it is very likely that they will be fixated on committing other sinful acts after indulging in Zina of the eyes. I came to this conclusion because one of the purposes of prohibiting Zina of the eyes is to maintain the purity and tranquility of the minds and hearts of Muslims.

That is a brief explanation of the punishment for Zina of the eyes in the Hadith. As Muslims, we must understand this.

What Counts as Zina of the Eyes in Islam?

The fourth important question is, "What counts as Zina of the eyes in Islam?" It's essential to understand this because it is a significant topic that some Muslims may not fully comprehend.

To be honest, when we look at Islamic literature regarding Zina of the eyes, we often find that there is no specific explanation detailing what is considered Zina of the eyes. At least, that's what I have observed. Instead, Islamic texts provide general explanations about Zina of the eyes, along with some examples. Essentially, Zina of the eyes refers to seeing something that is forbidden in Islam, such as pornography, and similar content.

Read Also: Can We Repent for Zina?

Therefore, the standard for what constitutes Zina of the eyes in Islam is the act of viewing things that are haram. This is common knowledge regarding Zina of the eyes that we must all understand.

This is a brief explanation of "What counts as Zina of the eyes in Islam?" As Muslims, we need to grasp this concept.

How to Seek Forgiveness from Allah for Zina of the Eyes?

The fifth important topic is, "How do we seek forgiveness from Allah for Zina of the eyes?" Understanding this is crucial as it forms part of the broader discussion about Zina of the eyes in Islamic literature.

Read Also: Zina Meaning in Islam

Specifically, the discussion revolves around 'How to repent for Zina of the eyes?" This question is very logical because Zina of the eyes is a sin frequently committed by some Muslims.

There are many ways for Muslims to remove the sin associated with Zina of the eyes. However, the most common methods of repentance are performing wudu and praying. Personally, I find that ablution and prayer are the two easiest ways to seek forgiveness. Why is that?

Wudu is one of the most important rituals in Islam. When a Muslim performs ablution, they must wash their face, which includes the eyes. Since Zina of the eyes is a sin committed with the eyes, when a Muslim washes their face during wudu, it is as if they have erased all the sins committed with the parts of the body that are included in that washing. That is the significance of wudu.

Read Also: Committing Zina Before Marriage in Islam

Praying is another way for Muslims to connect with their Lord. Therefore, if they wish to repent for Zina of the eyes, engaging in prayer is one of the best approaches. They should ask Allah for forgiveness for the sins they have committed.

This is a brief explanation of "How to seek forgiveness from Allah for Zina of the eyes." As Muslims, we must understand this process.

Dua for Zina of the Eyes in English and Arabic

The sixth important aspect of "What is Zina of the eyes?" is the dua for Zina of the eyes in both English and Arabic. I want you to understand this so that you know one of the best ways to repent for Zina of the eyes.

Read Also: Bathing After Zina in Islam

There are many prayers that can help in seeking forgiveness for the sin of Zina of the eyes. One such prayer is Istighfar. If you wish, you can recite Sayyidul Istighfar. The text of Sayyidul Istighfar is as follows:

اَللُّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوْدُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ , وَأَبُوُءْ بِذَنْبِيْ , فَاغْفِرْلِيْ , فَإِنَّهُ لَايَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your servant. I uphold Your promises and commitments to the best of my ability. I take refuge in You from the wrongs I have committed. I acknowledge all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Please forgive me, for truly, no one can forgive sins except You.

This is a brief explanation of the dua for Zina of the eyes in both English and Arabic. As Muslims, we must understand its importance.

This concludes the important discussion about "What is Zina of the eyes?" along with some key points related to it. I hope this information is useful. Ameen.