Just by Looking

Alhamdulillah, ALLAH SWT creates the world for us to benefit from it. However, our main purpose is purely to serve ALLAH SWT and for this, ALLAH SWT has given the gift of the senses for us to better appreciate ALLAH greatness, and at the same time to praise ALLAH SWT, subhanallah.

From our sense of sight, we are able to see the beauty of this world. Henceforth, let us think of how we deploy the eyes.. Now let's consider the different kind of looks:-

This type of look is definitely not in the ISLAMIC vocabulary but it does happen. This is a "disease" and is very contagious. The person employing this look is not contented with what little ALLAH gives. They will compete in terms of worldly possessions - whatever you have they must have better! The evil looker has ill intentions, sometimes to the extend of
playing "dirty trick" (devilry) on you...na'uzubillah.

This kind of look belongs to those who appreciates ALLAH's greatness. They see, think, and remember ALLAH SWT. Our beloved Rasulullah mentioned that there are four things if we look and reflect we are considered doing an ibadah...they are:-

1. Al-Qur'an
2. Al-Ka'bah
3. our mothers and
4. the sea....

when looking at the sea, we will know how small we are! just "a speck' compared to the universe (a tiny grain from all the sand on the beach?) However, this appreciative look does not include those nature lover who appreciate "art" as in nude form.

Whenever we accidentally saw something "haram" the first look is forgiven. However, the subsequent looks we have to beware as it is strictly prohibited. ISLAM recommends this first look to be "once is enough" look.

If you're keen on "staring on" or looking at beautiful girls, phonographic materials, and anything that is not permissible, all this while, please be carefully of the consequences - ALLAH SWT will not tolerate any "deviant" look.

This is a "twisted" version of look number three. YES, the person applied the "once is enough" rule but this type of lookers will help themselves to a "longer first look". Technically, it's a first look but obviously it is considered as look number four..."stare on" look.

This look is often mentioned in AL-Qur'an, where ALLAH SWT stress that these group of people have eyes but they do not see - they are considered blind. They are blind not to see
ALLAH SWT greatness and blind not to accept ISLAM when all the proofs have already been given to them - in another words - the heart is not "looking"!

Yes, this is literary looking down at the ground while walking, sitting, standing, etc. It is good but not advisable. They try to curb their eyes by focusing down while walking but watch out for that lamp-post!!

This is a "peek-a-boo" look, normally, this look is used to cover the evil deeds/mistakes of one person. So when we see fellow brothers or sisters doing something "wrong", please do not close our eyes, in fact even an eye either and pretend that we do not see or know what has happened. We have to advice them insya'allah, by doing so, we save them and ourselves from ALLAH's fury..... our motto should be "amal maruf nahi munkar".

This is highly recommended by Rasulullah (peace & blessings be upon him), he had mentioned that we should lower our gaze..........look only at what is permissible (halal) and turn away on what is not permissible (haram). If we could do this, insya'allah, we will be protected by ALLAH SWT.

No, this is not your boss looking at you.....but is your own conscious that plays a vital role. Before you proceed to do anything, please bear this in mind that there are always somebody looking over your shoulders (the two angels)...and remember too that ALLAH SWT is always watching you!!

JUST BY LOOKING at the simplest of deeds, we can easily choose our paths to heaven or to hell. Dear brothers and sisters, so next time you look or decide to look on something haram, think again......see (look), think, and act, and by the way....look!

LOOK, WHO'S LOOKING?

Ps. the two angels jotting our deeds are never tired, they never go on a holiday or even take a coffee break!

Firdaus

29 December 1998.

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[Currently, he is a student of Islamic Studies in Singapore. He is also active with organisations working with the spiritual needs of handicap Muslims. As well, the writer is a member of a non profitable organisation which oversees the financial needs of Muslim students. He writes short articles in the the hope that this brief style will benefit his readers with useful knowledge and stimulate the Iman in an interesting manner.]