What is the ruling on one who argues for the permissibility of women watching television or magazines by citing the action of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who used to look at the men of Abyssinia while they were
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The questioner : Some people claim that it is permissible for a man to look at images of women on television or in magazines, arguing that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to look at the men of Abyssinia while they were playing, and arguing that the statement of Allah the Exalted [An-Nur 24:30] does not mean that looking at everything is forbidden, so one can look if the intention is good, like the look of Aisha?
The Shaykh : The answer to this doubt reminds me of a deviation from the path of some scholars, much to my great regret. It is the difference in ruling between two cases: a man looking at his wife, even if she is naked, or if she is exposing part of her 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered); this is lawful, without a doubt, according to all Muslims. The distinction between this and looking at a woman depicted in a magazine, newspaper, or a private picture—even if it is, as they say, "My Lord, as You created me"—is that looking at this picture is permissible! But looking at the woman in her actual form is forbidden, without a doubt; this is forbidden. But what made looking at a picture of a woman permissible? Here is the philosophy: they said that looking at a picture is looking at an illusion, whereas looking at the actual woman is looking at reality; so this is forbidden and that is lawful! This is one issue. Then comes its sister issue... and listening to a woman's voice and her singing; this is not permissible because of the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) that follows from it. This is a correct ruling, like the first ruling regarding looking at the actual woman...
to reduce [some] of their vision
يغضوا من أبصارهمThe Shaykh : The answer to this doubt reminds me of a deviation from the path of some scholars, much to my great regret. It is the difference in ruling between two cases: a man looking at his wife, even if she is naked, or if she is exposing part of her 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered); this is lawful, without a doubt, according to all Muslims. The distinction between this and looking at a woman depicted in a magazine, newspaper, or a private picture—even if it is, as they say, "My Lord, as You created me"—is that looking at this picture is permissible! But looking at the woman in her actual form is forbidden, without a doubt; this is forbidden. But what made looking at a picture of a woman permissible? Here is the philosophy: they said that looking at a picture is looking at an illusion, whereas looking at the actual woman is looking at reality; so this is forbidden and that is lawful! This is one issue. Then comes its sister issue... and listening to a woman's voice and her singing; this is not permissible because of the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) that follows from it. This is a correct ruling, like the first ruling regarding looking at the actual woman...