Why is looking at thinly claded and/or sexually attractive women haram?

Question

I never understood this. I am a Muslim and respect and enjoy looking at beautiful women (naturally). I don't understand why it is so bad to look at a woman. I feel a new modern Islam should promote women's freedom to dress the way they want, and for men to enjoy them.

I don't see anything wrong if a man watches videos of sexually attractive women. How could it possibly be haram? She isn't naked, she isn't doing a sex tape or anything. Simply showing off her fit body in beautiful lingerie. Men watch it, enjoy it, and have fun with it. Some women also watch it and enjoy it.

Can we not accept this as a new part of the modern Islam (women's freedom of clothing)? I don't see myself ever giving up enjoying women. I don't commit adultery, or drink, or smoke because I truly see a problem there. But freedom of dress for women and freedom for men to enjoy women, there is zero harm in that. I have nothing against women wearing bikinis (showing off how hard they worked on their bodies) rather than woman in burqa. And I don't have a problem with a woman dancing in front of men for their entertainment. What is wrong with that?

Things have to make sense in a religion and this clearly does not. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I am afraid what you wrote shows that you're trying to alter Islam to fit to your carnal desires.

Human sexuality in Islam is not for fun and pleasure but it has a sacred function that is undermined by a hedonistic view of human sexuality. Sexuality with all its pleasures and attractions, is to serve a noble purpose: long term family commitment for extending the vital human reproduction process and also enabling partners to fulfill their lofty Islamic responsibilities through collective family life i.e. upbringing of children, providing sustenance, housekeeping, educating themselves etc.

But in free and irresponsible sexual exchange and pleasure-seeking, non of these sacred functions are fulfilled and you finally get a morally bankrupt and divided society with subverted families where everyone is following his/her egoistic/carnal desires without regard to greater good. Just looking at the high level of sexual crimes and decline of family ties in many western societies reveals the determinant consequences of sexual freedom.

Such a society also turns into a very easy prey to corrupt power elite who seek subjugation of nations. In fact if you study power structure in the West you might be surprised that the same power elite who are reigning supreme over western societies (i.e. usurious banks and greedy corporations) also own western corporate media and entertainment industry as main sources of promoting hedonistic and promiscuous lifestyle in western societies.

Answer 2

Man the question you asked might just start a super fest and every brother or sister is going to start shooting answers to your question from everywhere.

In simple sense, Islam as a religion is a matter of simplicity and submission to Allah and how he has asked to go about most of our lives and that is to worship him as the one true god.

Having said this and today's world, how amazing the skyscrapers are, this city has this amazing symbol and high tech fast trains and the list goes on. But a devout Muslim would tell you wait stop, why are you spending so much money on all of this infrastructure when you can see people who can't avail health care or simply get jobs to support their livelihood. But modern sense will tell you we need economic growth and investments so we need to develop at least basic infrastructure like tall and long bridges.

About your pleasures, I will directly say one thing and try my best not to put you to shame or belittle you. And that answer would be you will have to understand yourself and may Allah show you the way that one thing always leads to another and it goes on.

So some small video clip in youtube will go a long way in how your mind consciously and unconsciously responds to it. This part you will have to find yourself like i said either you seek the truth or may Allah show you the way himself.

Answer 3

Islam provides us the best and most effective solutions while trying to convince others about the truth.

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided. [Qur'an: 16:125]

This principle of instructing others with wisdom is amply demonstrated in the hadith that follows. See how the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) answered in the best and most effective way that made the young lad see sense.

A young man of the Quraish came to the Prophet one day and said: "O Prophet! Give me permission to commit adultery." Some of the Companions who were present, seeing this request as being against Islamic morals, told him to be quiet and scolded the young man. Prophet Muhammad was very calm and told the young man "Come over here and sit down." Then he turned to him and started to talk with him. "Tell me, would you like for another to commit adultery with your mother?" The young man said "O Prophet of Allah, I would never desire such a thing." The Prophet said: "No one would want such a thing for their mother." He continued, and said: "Would you want someone to commit adultery with your daughter?" The young man said "O Prophet of Allah, I would not." The Prophet said: "No one would want for their daughter to commit adultery." Then he went on to ask if the young man would approve of his sister, paternal aunt or maternal aunt committing adultery. Each time, the young man answered: "No, I would not want that." When he saw that the youth had understood his error the Prophet put his hand on the young man's shoulder and said "My Lord, forgive him his sin, clean his heart and protect him from committing sins." The young man, according to his own words, did not allow the emotion of lust to enter his heart again. [Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, Beirut, IV, 256-257]

Attraction towards women is natural for any man, and a Muslim too is no exception. However, before trying to justify fahisha (indecency) to yourself and to others, bear this hadith in mind and ask yourself: Would you like it if your mother and sister and aunts all dressed up that way and every inch of their bodies was then admired by men? Would you like the ladies of your household to be ogled at?

Answer that to yourself, and you will get your answer. Islam is natural and only promotes that which is natural. No man would like that the women of his household were ogled at, and Islam formalizes this formal fitrah or nature of man. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Answer 4

As said before all you're trying to do is mend Islam into your version so it can accommodate your harraam actions! I will not tell you what the others told you above, since they have done justice, alhamdulillah.

They already have the choice! They can wear a bikini in a place where there are women only or in front of their husbands, they are also allowed to dress for their husbands.

No man will never stop looking at a women wearing minimal clothing. It's natural and it can't stop! For Muslim however, we must lower our gaze.

Everything is wrong with that you just said.

Answer 5

Choices come with consequences, brother...both for men, women and society in general. Allah has given us a conscience to tell us right from wrong and a brain that tells us how to behave in a responsible way and contribute to society and the concept of accountability. These are the values that Allah teaches us in the Quran using prophets as role models. Heaven is for those who are patient in this world and practice taqwa ie piety...the path to Jannah is very hard and requires a lot of control and patience but the reward is enormous and worth the sacrificing and self control. May Allah help us all achieve our goals here and in the hereafter.