Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu

Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu (The Arrow and Bow of Iblis) is an Arabic treatise on Islamic ethics by Abd al-Malik ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Qasim, examining the prohibition of unlawful gazing and the spiritual necessity of lowering one's gaze Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu.

Context and Purpose

The work forms the thirteenth installment of the author's booklet series titled Ayna Nahnu min Ha'ula' (Where Are We Compared to Them?) Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu. The author composed it in response to the prevalence of illicit gazing, seeking to warn believers against its spiritual dangers and to document how early Muslim generations practiced self-restraint and safeguarded their eyes Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu. The title draws upon a reported saying of al-Fudayl ibn Iyad, who quoted Iblis describing the illicit glance as his ancient bow and unerring arrow Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu.

Structure and Method

The book is structured around Quranic injunctions, prophetic traditions, and classical scholarly commentary:

• Scriptural Basis: It analyzes key Quranic passages commanding modesty, notably Surah al-Nur (24:30–31), citing the exegeses of scholars such as Ibn Kathir and al-Shawkani on how lowering the gaze purifies the heart and preserves chastity Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu+1.
• Prophetic Hadiths: It compiles traditions detailing the consequences of looking at what is forbidden, including the Prophet's ﷺ instructions regarding accidental glances directed to Ali ibn Abi Talib and Jarir ibn Abd Allah, as well as his redirecting the head of al-Fadl ibn Abbas during the pilgrimage Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu.
• Spiritual and Psychological Dimensions: Drawing substantially from Ibn al-Qayyim, the text illustrates how an unchecked glance develops progressively from a fleeting look into an intrusive thought, a physical step, and ultimately a sin Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu. It incorporates Ibn al-Qayyim's ten arguments refuting the claim that repeating a look quenches desire, analogizing an initial illicit look to a runaway mount entering a narrow passageway that must be checked immediately before it becomes unmanageable Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu+1.
• Legal Boundaries: The author records the consensus among Muslim jurists concerning the prohibition of unrelated men and women looking at each other without necessity, while discussing permitted exceptions outlined by Ibn Taymiyyah and other authorities, such as a prospective groom viewing his intended bride Sahm Iblis wa Qawsuhu+1.