What is the ruling on looking at women?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
It is permissible to look at one's wife without restrictions. For mahrams (unmarriageable kin), it is permissible to look only at the face and extremities. As for those who are neither wives nor mahrams, it is not permissible to look at them, based on the Almighty’s saying: "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze." Exceptions to this include the extremely old woman and the very young girl, as well as some cases of necessity. The forbidden gaze is a precursor to adultery, and lowering one’s gaze is a sign of strong faith.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/32661
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 32661
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy