What is the wisdom behind the difference of opinion among scholars regarding the issue of women's ostentatious adornment, given that it tempts all men?
The question is incorrect because temptation (fitna) does not necessarily affect all men upon seeing apparent adornment. Rather, jurists agree on the prohibition of looking at a woman with lust. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, considered the gaze of the eye a form of zina (fornication/adultery), and likened women to Satan in his invitation to evil. Scholars have explicitly stated the prohibition of looking at anything other than the face and hands by consensus, and at the face and hands if accompanied by lust or fear of temptation, or looking at a woman through her clothes with lust. They differed in their interpretation of Allah's saying: (إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا) "except what is apparent thereof." Some said it refers to clothing, while others said it refers to the face and hands.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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