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Fatwa CenterLooking at the opposite gender during buying and selling
Question
In my place both women and men are quite common for them to go out without covering their awrah so that their awrah appears, whereas I have a business with them. What's the ruling at looking their faces instead of looking down when talking to them?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (
) is His slave and Messenger.
Allah the Almighty has commanded the believing men and women to lower their gaze from what is forbidden to look at. The Almighty said (what means): {Tell the believing men to lower their gazes and guard their private parts; that is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gazes and guard their private parts.} [Quran:30-31]
It is concluded from the above mentioned that looking at the private parts (awrah) is forbidden. As for a woman looking at the faces of men, it is permissible according to the stronger opinion, as long as it is not done with desire and there is no fear of temptation, especially when there is a need for it. This is supported by what is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah () that he () allowed 'Aisha (
) to watch the Abyssinians playing with their spears on the day of 'Eid.
Thus,Imam Al-Bukhari (
) titled a chapter on this issue: Chapter: “A Woman Looking at Abyssinians and the Like, Provided There Is No Improper Intention.”
Similarly, it is also permissible for men to look at the faces of women when dealing with them in buying or renting. However, it is a condition that this should not be done with the presence of any desire. Imam Aḥmad () said: “If he deals with a woman in buying or renting, he may look at her face so that he may recognize her.”
Allah Knows best.
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