What is your advice for a Muslim girl studying in a European country, who is trying to adhere to His (the Almighty’s) saying: “and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof,” and finds it difficult to lower her gaze when dealing with non-Muslims who may misunderstand this, especially with her imminent enrollment in medical school and her continuous interaction with doctors and nurses?

Scholars differed regarding a woman looking at a man's face without lust. The correct view is that it is permissible, which is the opinion of the majority, who cite as evidence the hadith of Fatimah bint Qays, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered her to observe her iddah at the house of Ibn Umm Maktum because he was blind, and his permission for Aishah to look at the Abyssinians while they were playing. Accordingly, there is no harm in a woman looking at men if she needs to and is safe from temptation; otherwise, she must lower her gaze.