The Zina of the eye refers to the lustful gaze that is forbidden in Islam, such as viewing something offensive, observing things that stimulate sexual desire, etc. From pornography to indulging in voyeurism, these actions can lead to committing this transgression.
Watching pornography is considered a violation of Islamic teachings because it stimulates sexual desires and emphasizes self-restraint. Also, lustful gazing at someone, exposing one’s body, or attending any adultery events leads to impure thoughts and desires because they violate modesty and respect.
The act of eye Zina is forbidden in Islam and has the potential to harm our spiritual well-being along with our mental and physical health. Today, we’ll look at what acts are regarded as the Zina of the Eyes and their impact on our lives.
8 Sinful Acts that Can Lead to the Zina of the Eyes
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When considering sinful acts such as the Zina of the Eyes, several actions should be avoided as much as possible.
1. Watching Pornography
Watching pornography involves intentionally seeking out and indulging in explicit and sexually explicit content, contrary to the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings.
This refers to any act that involves looking at and deriving pleasure from illicit and immoral sexual content. Explicit images, videos, or written material that stimulates one’s sexual desires and corrupts the soul is included in this category.
2. Lustful Gazing
Lustful gazing involves fixating one’s gaze upon another person with sexual desire or intent, objectifying them, and disregarding their dignity and humanity. This act violates the rules of modesty and respect and leads to sinful thoughts and desires.
Islamic beliefs aim to promote a healthy mindset and discourage behaviors that can potentially lead to sinful actions. Allah SWT warns us in Surah An-Nur, Ayat: 30-31,
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ ٣٠ وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ٣١
“˹O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears…”
3. Seeing Adultery Photographs
If you view inappropriate or adultery photographs in magazines, websites, or other media, you are committing the Zina of the Eyes.
The Quran reminds believers to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity in one’s thoughts and actions. Engaging with inappropriate imagery can lead to lust and immoral behavior and violate the sanctity of the self.
Also Read: How To Repent For Zina Of Eyes?
4. Watching Slightly Naked People
When you intentionally look at partially unclothed individuals, you commit the Zina of the Eyes. Islam emphasizes the importance of modesty and discourages gazing at others to arouse desire or lead to impure thoughts.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against fixating on the physical beauty of others, as it can corrupt one’s moral character and distract from spiritual growth.
5. Obsessive Celebrity Culture
Obsessive celebrity culture can be seen as a form of idolatry, as it involves fixating on individuals who may possess fame, wealth, and physical beauty. Indulging in activities that involve looking at celebrities in a way that arouses desire or leads to impure thoughts is called the Zina of the Eyes.
This excessive preoccupation with celebrity culture can distort priorities and neglect one’s spiritual growth. It’s important for individuals to be mindful of the potential harm that can arise from obsessing over the lives of celebrities.
6. Indulging in Voyeurism
Indulging in voyeurism is considered a sinful act that violates Islamic ethics, as it involves actively seeking to observe others without their consent. Voyeuristic acts, such as spying on others, invading their privacy, or excessively prying into their personal lives, are condemned in Islam.
Also, the act of voyeurism is seen as a violation of the trust and privacy that should exist between individuals. Islam encourages individuals to focus on their spiritual development rather than indulging in the inappropriate observation of others.
7. Exposing Physical Beauty in Social Media
Engaging in challenges that encourage exposing one’s private body parts or explicit content can lead to sin. Participating in these challenges encourages or requires explicit or sexually suggestive content, such as nudity or provocative poses, which lead to you and others committing zina of the eyes.
Also, by exchanging explicit images through media with individuals who aren’t permissible, you commit virtual adultery, also known as Zina of the Eyes. These acts of adultery can lead to severe consequences, both in this world and in the hereafter.
8. Attending Modeling or Fashion Show Events
Attending gatherings or events such as fashion or modeling shows where immodesty, lewd behavior, or inappropriate dress is prevalent may constitute the Zina of the Eyes.
This encompasses looking at others with lustful intentions, gazing at indecent images or videos, or being present in environments that promote immorality. Such acts are considered sinful as they violate the principles of modesty and promote temptation and corruption.
Understanding the Zina of the Eyes to Guard Your Gaze
Engaging in sinful acts that involve the eyes, such as looking at inappropriate content or gazing lustfully, is considered the Zina of the eyes. This behavior is condemned from a scholarly, analytical, and theological perspective.
We must have self-awareness and caution in our actions to avoid falling into this sin. In Islam, Allah has forbidden it for a reason, and we must accept and follow His commands for our betterment. Let’s strive for a healthier and more spiritual life by avoiding Zina of the Eyes.
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