Is the prohibition of a man looking at a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman the same, on the grounds that a non-Muslim woman has no sanctity?

The questioner : All right, O our Shaykh, is looking at a non-Muslim woman and a Muslim woman the same in terms of prohibition, on the basis that a non-Muslim woman has no sanctity, or something like that?

The Shaykh : In my view, there is no difference in this, because the aim is not only to preserve the sanctity of the woman, but also to protect the believer's self from stumbling. Therefore, it is not permissible for him at all. In fact, it may be more dangerous than with a Muslim woman. I say this by analogy and deduction from the well-known authentic hadith, which is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Considering that these people are viewed from the angle that they have been given a covenant of protection (dhimmah) and a pledge, and therefore they are under a treaty. Thus, it is not permissible to break the pledges. From this perspective, it is not permissible to look, touch, or do anything else that is forbidden between a Muslim man and a Muslim woman; likewise, it is not permissible between a Muslim man and a non-Muslim woman. And Allah knows best.