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Is a person sinful for looking at a non-mahram woman for one or two seconds, while remembering God's command and lowering his gaze immediately, knowing that he did not go as far as to enjoy the sight or think lustfully?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Jarir ibn Abdullah reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about an accidental glance, and he commanded me to avert my gaze. The first glance, if unintentional, is forgiven, but to prolong the gaze is forbidden, as Allah Almighty says: ﴿Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision﴾. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Ali, do not follow a glance with another glance, for you are allowed the first, but not the second." Intentionally looking at a non-mahram woman or continuing to look after an accidental glance is forbidden, regardless of her beauty or whether she arouses desire.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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