Tafsir of As-Saffat 37:48

They have restrained their eyes [gaze] toward their husbands, not extending a glance toward anyone else. This was said by Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and Ibn Zayd. The object of this restraint is omitted because it is understood. The statement is either taken at its apparent meaning or is a metonymy for their intense love for their husbands and their lack of inclination toward others. It is also said that it means they do not open their eyes wide due to coyness and flirtatiousness. According to both interpretations, the description is transitive (active).

It is also permitted that it be intransitive, meaning their eyelids are languid and soft. There is nothing strange about languid eyelids in beautiful women, and for this reason, poets have frequently romanticized this, both ancient and modern. Among such examples is the statement of Ibn al-Azdi: My solace fell ill, and my longing grew sound, From gazes that are both sickly and sound.

In all these cases, the "gaze" (Tarf) refers to their own gaze. It is also permissible that the description is transitive, but the "gaze" refers to the gaze of others. The meaning would be: they cause the gaze of others to be restrained, preventing it from wandering toward anyone else due to the extremity of their beauty. Thus, the gaze of the one looking at them does not move past them, just as al-Mutanabbi said: And a waist upon which gazes are fixed, As if it were girded by pupils of eyes.

Ibn Rashiq also mentioned this meaning regarding the words of Imru’ al-Qais: Among those who restrain the gaze; if a one-year-old ant were to crawl upon her nose, it would leave a trace.

This, by my life, is elegant. However, I say: the apparent meaning here is that the presence (of these women) is in the gatherings of drinking to complete the pleasure. Therefore, perhaps the most appropriate interpretation—preserving the sense of jealousy, even if that enclosure is an enclosure of sanctity—is the first meaning. The majority have restricted the interpretation to it, and one should not suspect them of being among those who are limited [in their understanding].

The sentence is said to be a conjunction to what preceded it, and it is also said to be in the state of a circumstantial qualifier (Hal)—that is, they are served with a cup while, at the same time, they have women with them who restrain their gaze.

(‘In): The plural of ‘Ayna’, which is a woman with large, beautiful eyes. From this, wild cows (oryx) are called ‘Ayn. It is also said that ‘Ayna’ means one with wide eyes, meaning her eyes possess many beauties. The truth is that the width refers to the breadth of the eye’s aperture, and qualifying it with "beauty" repels any objection that might be raised. How subtle and exquisite is the mention of ‘In (wide-eyed) after Qasirat al-Tarf (those who restrain their gaze).