Islam and Human Rights — Page 136
Isl am and Hum an R ights 136 stem the mischief at the very source. Where does it originate? In this particular case it starts when the eye goes aroving. Other senses then come in, eagerly or with feigned reluctance, each helping and nudging the others along: touch, smell, hearing, voice, all play their part, and the co-ordinated, organized pursuit of the objective has begun. The process is conscious and calculated, whatever pretence may be feined for the benefit of third parties. “Nay, man is a witness over his self, even though he puts forward his excuses” (75:15-16). In the early stages he may reassure himself that he has given no one any cause to entertain the least suspicion, but there is One Who knows the treachery of the eyes and what the breasts conceal” ( 40:20). What is the remedy? First, strict control of the senses and a constant watch over them lest any of them should stray from the path of righteousness and beneficence; for each one of them is responsible and will be called to account. “Pursue not that of which thou hast not know ledge. Verily, the ear and the eye and the heart- every one of them will be called to account” (37:17). Secondly, reduction to the minimum practicable of the display of feminine charm and beauty which might attract and incite, first, curiosity, then the urge to