Lowering the Gaze for Women and Looking at Men on Television

Question:
This questioner asks: Is a woman commanded to lower her gaze like a man, meaning she should not look at men, or not? And if so, does this mean she should not look at men on television or in pictures? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Everyone is commanded to lower their gaze, both men and women. Allah the Exalted said: So a man lowers his gaze from women, and a woman lowers her gaze from men, except where necessity requires it, such as looking at the road or at people in general. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted 'A'ishah to look at the Habashah (Ethiopians) while they were playing; she was to look at the general scene of the players or racers, or at the road. However, looking at a person with the intention of desire is not permissible, because this leads to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Looking at a man for pleasure is not permissible, nor is it permissible for a man to look at a woman for pleasure. As for looking at the road, if one's intention is pleasure, that is different; one looks at the road only to avoid hitting someone. This does no harm, even if one sees women, provided one does not intentionally look at them to take pleasure in looking at them. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said, "Say: 'Lower your gazes,'" not "Lower your eyes." He said, "Lower from them," and He said, "And let the believing women lower their gazes." This is because a man must look at the road, and a woman must look at the road to see what might pass by her. But she should not look with a gaze of desire, nor should he look with a gaze of desire that leads to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you,