What is the ruling on someone who sees a handsome young man and he remains in their memory, and they desire only his companionship, not sodomy or anything similar?
These thoughts are caused by idleness and a lack of purpose. One must occupy oneself with the remembrance of Allah and avoid doubtful matters, for being infatuated with beautiful images is the beginning of evil and temptation. Many scholars have explicitly stated the prohibition of looking at an beardless youth (amrad) when there is a fear of temptation, and some have absolutely prohibited looking. Al-Nawawi said: "One should beware of shaking hands with a beardless youth (amrad) and one who is handsome, for looking at him without necessity is forbidden according to the sound and explicit opinion." Ibn Taymiyyah said: "Looking at the face of a beardless youth (amrad) with desire is like looking at unmarriageable female relatives (dhaawat al-mahaarim) or a strange woman with desire, whether the desire is for intercourse or the desire for pleasure from looking." Al-Hasan ibn Dhakwan warned against sitting with the sons of the wealthy due to their beautiful appearance. Some of the Tabi'in considered those who commit sodomy to be of three types: those who look, those who shake hands, and those who actually commit the act.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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