Ruling on looking at women and talking to them

This is a message that reached us from the sender, 'Atiyyah al-Juhani, from Jeddah. He says in his message: I am a young man, praise be to Allah, who prays, fasts, and performs Hajj, and I have not committed any lewd act, praise be to Allah. However, I like looking at women and talking to them, though looking is the most frequent. Does this action of mine invalidate the good deeds I perform, such as prayer and others? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
Answer: Sin does not invalidate good deeds, but it is feared that if sins become numerous, they may outweigh the good deeds. Therefore, it is obligatory for the believer to guard against all sins, including looking at women and talking to them for the sake of desire. This is reprehensible. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said: [Al-Nur: 30].
So you must lower your gaze and strive against your soul for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and be cautious. For looking is an arrow from the arrows of Iblis, and looking may perhaps lead you to the act and the major sin, which is unlawful sexual intercourse. So you must fear Allah, lower your gaze, and guard against the evil of your soul and your desires. Likewise, talking to them with the intention of desire, or with the intention of looking at them, or with the intention of seclusion with them, or for any corrupt intention, you must be cautious.
As for talking about permissible matters, such as a woman asking about her family, or about her children, or about a commodity she bought from you or you sold to her, in ordinary, known matters that contain no trial, no desire, and no looking at what Allah has forbidden, but rather it is permissible talk or lawful talk, there is nothing wrong with it.
As for talking that leads to corruption, or is intended to take pleasure in the woman's voice, or to know what she has of other things related to your inclination toward her, this is not permissible, because it leads to evil. The believer must always guard against what Allah has forbidden him. However, sin does not invalidate deeds; rather, it is disbelief in Allah and apostasy from Islam that invalidates deeds, as Allah, the Exalted, said: [Al-An'am: 88].
He, the Exalted, said: [Al-Ma'idah: 5]. So disbelief in Allah and associating partners with Allah is what nullifies deeds. As for looking, backbiting, talebearing, or unlawful sexual intercourse, this does not nullify deeds. However, there is great danger in that when sins become numerous, it is feared that the heart of their owner will be sealed over, and it is feared that it will be a means to his disbelief and apostasy, and it is feared for him in the Hereafter that his sins will outweigh his good deeds. We ask Allah for safety. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.