We are accountable for whatever we hear, See, or Think About In Surat-ul-Israa, Allaah says,
"And follow not [O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not} that which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, the sight, and the heart, each of those one will be questioned [by Allaah] [Q 17:36]
This verse indicates that every individual is responsible for what he does. Allaah entrusted us with our senses to use them in the proper way, to use them to carry out our responsibility as vicegerent of Allaah on this earth.
If we use them in ways that will not please Allaah, we will certainly be responsible. This concept is emphasized in other verses of the Quran. Allaah describes believers as those who void vain talk. In Surat-ul-Muminun, Allaah says:
"Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their prayers with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from al-Iaghw [dirty, false, evil, vain-talk, falsehood, and all that Allaah has forbidden],,[Q 23: 1-3]
And He says in Surat-ul- Qasas:
"And when they hear al-Laghw [vain-talk], they withdraw from it and say, "To us our deeds and to you your deeds. Peace be to you. We seek not the way of ignorant. " [Q28:55]
Lower Your Gaze
Allaah also orders the believers to the lower their gaze. Allaah says;
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze [from looking at forbidden things} and protect their private parts [from illegal sexual acts]. That is more pure for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze [from looking at forbidden things] and protect their private parts [from illegal sexual acts] and no to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent." [Q 24:30-31]
Avoid Strange Women
The teachings of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] also emphasize this concept in many ahadeeth. Abu Hurairah [RA] relates that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said:
"A man commits adultery with his eyes when he looks at strange women. Adultery of the ears is listening to sexual dialogue; adultery of the tongue is talking about sex; the adultery of the hand is to inflict harms on others unlawfully; and adultery of the feet is to walk towards unlawful sex. The heart ardently desires adultery and the sexual organ confirms or contradicts the act."[Muslim]
Also, Uqba bn Amir [RA] reported that the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said;
"Avoid visiting strange women". A man from among the Ansar asked: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if the visitor is the husbands brother or the in-law from the other gender? He said: these are deaths" [agreed upon].
Abu Said al-Khudri [RA] relates that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said;
A man must not look towards a man’s private parts, nor should a woman look at another woman’s private parts; nor should two naked men or two naked women cover themselves under one cover." [Muslim]
Rights of The Road
Abu Said al-Khudri [RA] relates that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, Avoid sitting in public roads." The people said: "O Messenger of Allaah, we have no choice but to sit there. It is where we discuss our affairs."The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said,
"If you have to do this, make sure you observe the rights of public road."
They said, "And what are these rights?" He said:
"Lower your gaze; don’t harm anybody; salute others with peace; enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil"[agreed upon]
Importance of this concept
The importance of this concept cannot be over emphasized. It is this concept that will make us as teens be very careful about what we select to watch on TV, in videos, or in movies. This will make to be careful of which book we read and which programme we listen to on the radio. This will make us very selective about the type of friends we hang around with, the things we hear, the things we watch, and even the things we think of doing. It is this concept when ingrained in us that will make us turn the TV off when there is an indecent scene or foul language on. It will help us avoid being part of any slander or vain talk. If we find ourselves in a sitting where our friends are talking about people of the opposite sex in an indecent manner, this is the concept that will convince us to get up.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited