Protecting the eyes from evil gazes 3.6mb/MP3
By Maulana AS Desai
Saturday 29 Shawwaal 1447 – 18 April 2026
Protecting the Eyes from Evil Gazes
Mufti A S Desai Afrikee hafizahullah
29th Shawwaal 1447 – 18th April 2026
Bismillahi Ta’ala…
(This is a continuation of the last lecture, ‘Keep Away from Evil Deeds & Evil Moments,’ delivered on 27th Shawwaal 1447 – 16th April 2026)
Allah Ta’ala revealed to Sayidunna Dawood alayhis salam the qualities of a person who is very close to Him:
“O Dawood! Whoever lowers and guards his gaze; guards his chastity and protects his tongue; such a person is closest to me.”
There was a great Ustadh of the Glorious Qur’an and a Qa’ari, amongst the Tabi’ al-Tabi’in, Shaykh Abu ʻAmr Ibn al-ʻAlāʼ al-Basri rahimahullah alayh (70-154 AH ~ 690-770 CE).
Once whilst teaching a young boy, he cast a gaze of lust upon him.
Understand well, the nafs (evil self) is with everyone; with buzruq’s (‘Ulama, ‘Aimma, Masha’aikh & Apa’s) also and; in a moment of negligence (ghaflat), the nafs will assert itself. Therefore, one has to always be alert and on guard, not become complacent towards ones nafs.
The moment Shaykh Abu ʻAmr bin al-ʻAlāʼ al-Basri rahimahullah alayh cast a lustful gaze, immediately, the entire Glorious Qur’an, from Alif-Laam-Meem of Surah Baqarah to Seen of Surah An-Naas was taken away from his heart. As a punishment, Allah Ta’ala removed the entire Glorious Qur’an from his heart.
The closer one is to Allah Ta’ala; the severe is the punishment also.
Haraam is disastrous for ‘Ilm; it destroys and effaces it.
For this reason, we find many learned people together with (so-called) students of the Deen also; they are unable to understand and remember because they do not guard their eyes (gaze), minds and hearts.
As soon as the Glorious Qur’an was taken away, Shaykh Abu ʻAmr rahimahullah alayh was overcome with extreme grief and shock. He proceeded to Sayyidunna Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah alayh (a Tabi’I who lived in the time of the Sahabah radhiyallahu anhm, 22-108 AH ~ 642-728 CE), explained what had happened and requested him to make du’a for him as he had committed this evil.
Sayyidunna Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah alayh advised him,
‘As you are going for Hajj, and Makkah al-Mukkaramah is not too far from Basra, after you have performed Hajj and it quietens; proceed to Masjid al-Khayf in Mina; by the Mimber you will see an elderly Buzruq engaged in the dhikr of Allah Ta’ala. Go there, meet him but do not interrupt. Wait until he completes his dhikr and then explain your predicament. Insha’Allah, with his du’a, for he is amongst the Mustajaabut da’wat, Allah Ta’ala will restore the Treasure of the Glorious Qur’an back unto you.’
Accordingly, he proceeded for Hajj and thereafter visited Masjid al-Khayf in Mina.
He saw the Buzrug sitting there as described making dhikr. There was also another group, all of whom appeared to be like Awliya (Saints). As instructed, he waited for the Buzruq to complete his dhikr. Whilst waiting, he observed another Buzruq entering and he addressed the group of Awliya sitting nearby. After completing his Bayaan/Nassehah, this second Buzruq and the entire group of Awliya left the Masjid.
Now, only the elderly Buzruq remained sitting there.
Shaykh Abu ʻAmr rahimahullah alayh proceeded forward, made Salaam, and then crying explained his predicament and error.
This Buzruq raised his eyes towards the Heavens and made a du’a.
Immediately after he made the du’a, the Glorious Qur’an came back into the heart of Shaykh Abu ʻAmr rahimahullah alayh. He was so overjoyed, crying he fell at the feet of the Buzruq, thanking him profusely.
So, the Buzruq asked him, ‘Tell me, who directed you to me?’
Shaykh Abu ʻAmr rahimahullah alayh replied, ‘Hasan Basri.’
The Buzruq commented, ‘Hasan has disgraced me; now I will disgrace him.’
What the Buzruq implied was Sayyidunna Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah alayh had revealed his secret, which he was not supposed to do. These Awliya like to remain (anonymous), concealed and hidden; they do not want people to know of them.
The Buzruq commented, ‘Hasan has disgraced me; now I will disgrace him…you saw the Buzruq who came to offer Naseehah to the group of Awliya sitting here? Do you know who that was? You did not recognise him, but that was Sayyidunna Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullah alayh). Everybody thinks he is in Basra and we are in Makkah al-Mukkaramah; but every day at Zohar time he comes here and by Asr he is back in Basra.’
Allah Ta’ala has given these Awliya the power to traverse and travel from continent to continent in a matter of minutes.
The elderly Buzruq continued, ‘When he is so maqbool (endeared and accepted) to Allah Ta’ala; then why did he send you to me? Why did he not make the du’a?’
From this episode, we understand we must guard our gaze; especially, ‘Ulama, (Asaatizaah including Apa’s) and Students of Deen. Guard your eyes and guard your tongue.
Regarding the tongue, Allah Ta’ala says in the Glorious Qur’an:
“O Believers! Adopt Taqwa; and always speak virtuous talk.
He will then reform your deeds and forgive you your sins…” (33:70-71)
If you need to speak, use your tongue correctly, guard your tongue and speak only when necessary; control your eyes; Allah Ta’ala will then reform your deeds and forgive your sins. Always guard the tongue and eyes, for most of the evil which enters our heart to contaminate and pollute us enter via these two organs; i.e. the tongue and the eyes.
“And our final statement is that all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.”