What is the ruling on a teaching assistant watching educational clips in which non-Muslim, unveiled foreign women explain, knowing that watching does not arouse instincts or lust?
If the women explaining are old, then there is no harm in looking at them. However, if they are not old and one restricts looking at their faces, some jurists have stipulated the permissibility of this in case of need and absence of lust, as mentioned by Ibn Qudamah. As for looking at other than the faces, such as the hair, neck, and chest, it is not permissible due to its clear contradiction with the texts enjoining lowering the gaze, and this is prohibited even without lust; because a sudden glance necessitates turning away the gaze, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "He commanded me to turn away my gaze," and as Allah Almighty says: {Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts.}
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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