SAEDNEWS: We consulted religious authorities on Islamic rulings regarding looking at non-mahrams. This article presents Ayatollah Khamenei’s answers to 20 frequently asked questions about looking at non-mahrams, photographs, videos, and medical treatment.
According to Saednews, Join us in this article to learn more about Islamic rulings concerning looking at non-Mahram individuals, according to the religious opinions presented in the source.
Question: Is it permissible to look at televised or other images of non-Muslim women who are uncovered, naked, or partially naked, out of curiosity or for similar reasons, when one is not certain that sexual pleasure will result? What about looking at women in the street with the intention of becoming sexually aroused toward one's wife?
Answer: Looking at nude scenes directly or on television and similar media is not permissible. As a matter of obligatory precaution, one should refrain from looking at such scenes altogether.
Question: Is it permissible to look at a photograph of a woman who normally wears hijab but appears without it in the picture?
Answer: If the man knows the woman, then, as a matter of obligatory precaution, it is not permissible. As a precaution, he should not look at parts of the photograph other than her face and hands. Looking at her face and hands is permissible provided there is no improper desire or sexual pleasure.
Answer: As a matter of obligatory precaution, a woman should not look at parts of a man's body that are ordinarily covered.
Answer: Looking at her hair without sexual desire is permissible.
Answer: It is not permissible if the look is accompanied by sexual desire or if there is a fear of falling into sin.
Answer: Looking with sexual pleasure is prohibited. Even without sexual pleasure, it is prohibited as a matter of obligatory precaution.
Answer: Looking at women who are unconcerned about covering themselves and who would not comply if advised to observe hijab is permissible, provided there is no sexual desire and no fear of falling into sin.
There is no distinction in this ruling between non-Muslim women and other women. It also applies to their hands, faces, and other parts of the body that they ordinarily leave uncovered.
Answer: A man is prohibited from looking at the body or hair of non-Mahram women, whether or not sexual desire is present and whether or not he fears falling into sin.
Looking at their faces and hands up to the wrists is prohibited if accompanied by sexual desire or a fear of falling into sin. As a recommended precaution, he should avoid looking at these parts even when neither condition is present.
Similarly, a woman is prohibited from looking at a non-Mahram man's body if sexual desire is involved or if she fears falling into sin. As a matter of obligatory precaution, she should also refrain from doing so otherwise, except when looking at parts of the body that men ordinarily leave uncovered, such as the head, hands, and lower legs. Looking at these parts is permissible if there is no sexual desire and no fear of falling into sin.
Looking at women who do not observe covering despite being advised to do so is permissible, provided there is no sexual desire and no fear of falling into sin. This ruling applies equally to Muslim and non-Muslim women and includes the parts of their bodies they ordinarily leave uncovered.
Answer: There is no objection to looking at them if the look is free from sexual desire and there is no fear of falling into sin.
Answer: It is not permissible.
Answer: A man is prohibited from looking at the body and hair of a non-Mahram woman, whether or not sexual desire is present and whether or not he fears falling into sin.
Looking at her face and hands up to the wrists is prohibited if accompanied by sexual desire or a fear of falling into sin. As a recommended precaution, he should avoid looking at them even when neither condition is present.
A woman is also prohibited from looking at a non-Mahram man's body if sexual desire is involved or if she fears falling into sin. As a matter of obligatory precaution, she should refrain from doing so even otherwise, except when looking at parts of the body that men ordinarily leave uncovered, such as the head, hands, and lower legs. Looking at these parts is permissible if there is no sexual desire and no fear of falling into sin.
Answer: There is no objection to looking at women who do not respond to advice to cover themselves, provided there is no sexual desire and no fear of falling into sin.
This ruling applies to both non-Muslim and other women, including their faces, hands, and other parts of the body that they ordinarily leave uncovered.
Answer: A woman must cover her hair and body, except for her face and hands, from non-Mahram men.
As a necessary precaution, she should also cover her body and hair from a boy who has not reached puberty but can distinguish right from wrong, if it is possible that looking at her body could arouse his sexual desire.
A woman may leave her face and hands uncovered up to the wrists in front of a non-Mahram man, unless she fears falling into sin or intends to induce him to engage in a prohibited look. In either of those circumstances, covering them is obligatory.
Answer: Looking at the private parts of an adult Muslim is prohibited, even if the view is through glass, in a mirror, or in clear water, or by similar means.
As a matter of necessary precaution, the same ruling applies to looking at the private parts of a non-Muslim or a child who has not reached puberty but can distinguish right from wrong.
A husband and wife, however, may look at each other's entire bodies.
Answer: A man and a woman who are Mahram to each other may look at each other's entire bodies, except for the private parts, provided they have no intention of sexual pleasure and there is no fear of falling into sin.
Answer: A man must not look at another man's body with the intention of deriving sexual pleasure. Similarly, a woman must not look at another woman's body with that intention.
The same prohibition applies in either case if there is a fear of falling into sin.
Answer: If a man knows the non-Mahram woman in the photograph and she is not among women who openly disregard modesty, then, as a matter of obligatory precaution, he should not look at her photograph, except for her face and hands.
Looking at her face and hands is permissible provided there is no sexual pleasure and no fear of falling into sin.
Answer: If a woman must administer an enema to another woman or wash her private parts, she must wear a barrier on her hand so that her hand does not directly touch the other woman's private parts.
The same ruling applies if a man must perform these procedures for another man, or if a woman must do so for someone other than her husband. It also applies to the corresponding situations involving other combinations of people.
Answer: If a woman requires medical treatment and a non-Mahram man is better suited to provide it, she may seek treatment from him.
If the man must look at her body or touch it to provide the necessary treatment, there is no objection. However, if he can treat her by looking without touching, he must not touch her body. Likewise, if he can treat her by touching without looking, he must not look at her.
Answer: If a person must examine another person's private parts for medical treatment, then, as a matter of obligatory precaution, they should place a mirror in front of the area and look at its reflection.
However, if there is no alternative to looking directly at the private parts, there is no objection. The same applies if looking directly would take less time than examining the area in a mirror.
