What is the ruling on a man looking at a non-related woman without a specific legal reason?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Marriage

Book 35 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Looking at a non-related woman without a valid reason is prohibited concerning her entire body, according to the apparent position of Ahmad. Ahmad stated that a man may not eat with his divorced wife because she is a non-related woman (ajnabiyyah) to whom looking is not permissible, questioning how he could eat with her or look at her hand. The view held by the Qadi is that looking is forbidden concerning everything except the face and the two palms, as these are considered outside the definition of 'awrah in this context. The basis for this allowance is the verse: "and not to display their beauty except what appears thereof" (Quran 2:31), which Ibn Abbas interpreted as the face and the two hands. Aisha narrated that when Asma bint Abi Bakr entered upon the Prophet, peace be upon him, wearing thin clothes, he turned away and instructed her that once a woman reaches puberty, nothing of her should be seen except this and this, gesturing to her face and hands. This is argued because these parts are not considered 'awrah that necessitates covering when there is no suspicion.

Supporting text

The opposing view relies on the verse: "And when you ask [the wives of the Prophet] for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen" (Quran 33:53), and the Hadith where the Prophet commanded the wives to observe the screen from Ibn Umm Maktum, who was blind. Additionally, the Prophet turned away the face of al-Fadl ibn Abbas when a woman sought his guidance, and he commanded Jarir ibn Abdullah to avert his gaze from a sudden look. Furthermore, Ali narrated that the Prophet commanded him not to follow a glance with another glance, stating only the first accidental look is excused. The permissibility of looking when intending marriage implies prohibition otherwise, as exclusivity of permission suggests restriction.