The Cure for Looking at What Is Forbidden

Question:
What is your advice for one who is afflicted with the disease of looking at what is forbidden, such as women, or looking at young boys?

Answer:
Cast down the gaze. Say to the believers: "Let them lower their gazes and guard their private parts," and say to the believing women: "Let them lower their gazes and guard their private parts." So he lowers his gaze from what is forbidden. Otherwise, his gaze is a poisoned arrow, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Where does the arrow go? It returns to his heart and pierces it. So he pierces himself with this poisoned arrow when he looks with desire. He pierces his heart with it.
How many times has a look done to the heart of its owner what arrows do without a bow or a string? When a Muslim sees something forbidden in front of him, he restrains his gaze, meaning he lowers his gaze. First, he does not go to places where there are bad sights, places of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation); he stays away from them. But if something of fitnah happens to be presented to him, he lowers his gaze; that is his cure, and it is not difficult for him. He lowers his gaze and turns away, and praise be to Allah. When he lowers his gaze, Allah purifies his heart and lights his heart. This is light from Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Yes.