In every era, the question of modesty surfaces in society, shaped by time, culture, and religious understanding. In Islam, modesty — known as ḥayāʾ — is a virtue deeply embedded into the heart of the believer. It is not simply about clothing, nor merely about appearance. Modesty, in its Islamic essence, is a comprehensive inner and outer state, encompassing thoughts, behavior, speech, and most profoundly — the gaze.
In today’s world, it is common to see Muslim women who wear the niqab (face veil) and cover their entire faces, leaving only their eyes exposed. This visual expression of modesty has led many to reflect: If the eyes are still visible, and they are where attraction and intention often begin, then isn’t it the eyes that should be guarded first?
This article explores this powerful idea:
That modesty begins with the eyes before the veil.
Not just for women — but for everyone. Not just in what is worn — but in what is seen, avoided, and absorbed through the eyes.
1. The Foundation of Modesty in Islam
In Islamic teachings, modesty is not just a recommendation — it is a cornerstone of faith. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Every religion has a distinctive quality, and the distinctive quality of Islam is modesty (ḥayāʾ).”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah)
This modesty is not limited to a dress code. It includes:
How we speak,
How we behave,
How we walk,
How we look at others,
And even how we think.
The eyes are especially emphasized because they are the first to engage with the world. They are the starting point of perception, the gateway to emotion and intention. From the eye, the heart is influenced — and what the heart desires, the body may follow.
Thus, it is no coincidence that when Allah commands modesty in the Qur'an, the first command is not about clothing — but about the gaze.
2. The Qur’anic Command: Lower Your Gaze
In Surah An-Nūr (24:30-31), Allah begins the discussion of modesty with a direct instruction to men:
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.”
(24:30)
Immediately after, He addresses women:
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments...”
(24:31)
Notice the sequence:
1. Lower your gaze.
2. Guard your chastity.
3. Then comes the guidance on clothing.
This ordering is deeply significant. It teaches us that real modesty begins with the eyes — not with the fabric we wear. The gaze, when unchecked, leads to thoughts. Thoughts lead to desires. Desires can lead to action.
This is why the scholars of Islam, from the earliest generations, emphasized the concept of "ghadd al-baṣar" — lowering or guarding the gaze — as one of the first acts of modesty.
3. The Eyes: Windows to the Soul
Throughout Islamic tradition, the eyes are seen not just as tools of vision but as reflections of the heart. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The glance is a poisoned arrow from the arrows of Shayṭān. Whoever lowers his gaze for the sake of Allah, He will grant him a sweetness of faith that he will find in his heart.”
(al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak)
This Hadith reminds us that the eye is not neutral. It carries spiritual consequence. An uncontrolled glance is not just a momentary action — it is the beginning of a chain reaction. And a conscious decision to look away for Allah’s sake is not just an act of discipline — it is a form of worship.
Modern science agrees. Numerous psychological studies confirm that visual stimuli are powerful — they affect our mood, attention, desires, and decisions. What we consume with our eyes shapes our inner world.
So, in Islam, the eye is a gate, and modesty is the gatekeeper.
4. The Forgotten Half: Men and the Gaze
Too often, conversations around modesty focus only on women — what they wear, how they present themselves. But in the Qur’an, the first command to lower the gaze is given to men.
This is a call to all believing men:
To take responsibility for their eyes,
To guard themselves from indecent or lustful glances,
And to treat women — whether veiled or not — with respect and restraint.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) writes in al-Jawāb al-Kāfī:
“The glance is the messenger of desire… and the look plants the seed of lust in the heart, which grows and intensifies until it becomes an action.”
This is not just about men controlling themselves — it’s about spiritual purity. Men who guard their eyes experience a heart that is less clouded by desire, less distracted by temptation, and more focused on faith.
And when men fulfill their duty to guard the gaze, society becomes safer, more dignified, and less hostile to women — regardless of how much or little they cover.
5. Why Eyes Are Left Uncovered in Niqab
For those unfamiliar with the niqab, it may seem contradictory — if modesty is the goal, why leave the eyes open?
Here are some key reasons:
Practical necessity: People need to see in order to walk, drive, interact.
Islamic ruling: Scholars differ on whether covering the face (and eyes) is obligatory. Many agree that covering the body except the face and hands is sufficient.
Spiritual modesty is prioritized: Islam emphasizes guarding the gaze, not necessarily hiding the eyes.
Still, some women choose to cover even their eyes with a thin cloth out of extra caution — not because it’s required, but because it aligns with their personal journey of modesty. This diversity is respected in Islam.
But ultimately, even if the face is uncovered — as long as the gaze is guarded and intention is pure — modesty is fulfilled.
6. Digital Gaze: The Modern Challenge
In today's world, the gaze has evolved.
We no longer just "look" at people on the street — we scroll, swipe, watch, binge. The digital gaze is constant — and often, unchecked.
This is perhaps one of the greatest challenges to modesty in the modern age. Exposure to explicit or immodest content is everywhere: social media, advertising, entertainment, even in the classroom or office.
Islam’s teachings on lowering the gaze are more relevant now than ever. They offer not restriction, but protection — a path to inner peace, focus, and self-control in a world of visual excess.
For men and women alike, the commitment to guard one’s eyes online is a spiritual act of resistance — and a deeply rewarding one.
7. Modesty Begins Where No One Can See
The brilliance of Islam’s modesty teachings lies in this:
It begins in a place no one can see.
Long before others can judge your clothing or your appearance, Allah sees your gaze. He sees what your eyes linger on, what they avoid, and what they desire.
This turns modesty into something personal. It’s no longer about public image. It’s about private integrity. A person can be fully covered yet spiritually immodest. Another may be less covered but still possess profound inner decency.
The eyes reveal much more than skin. They reveal intention, emotion, and focus. And so Islam calls us to begin there — with humility, sincerity, and discipline.
8. A Glance Can Be a Test
Sometimes, one glance is all it takes to either gain reward or fall into error. As the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not follow a glance with another, for the first is allowed to you, but not the second.”
(Abu Dawud)
This Hadith beautifully illustrates that the first accidental glance is forgiven, but what follows is a choice. That choice is where modesty or desire takes root.
By training the self to look away, even for a split second, the believer:
Declares independence from their desires,
Strengthens their self-control,
And honors the sacred boundaries of others.
9. Beyond Gender: A Universal Virtue
While modesty applies differently to men and women in practice, its heart is universal.
It’s not about shame of the body.
It’s about respect for the soul.
It’s not about hiding.
It’s about honoring privacy, purity, and dignity.
And it all begins with the eye. What you allow yourself to see will shape who you become.
10. A Poetic Reminder
Let this verse serve as a reminder:
"Cover your eyes before your face,
For modesty lives not in cloth — but grace.
A guarded gaze, a softened view,
Will keep your heart, your soul, and you."
We live in an era of images — of constant visibility, curated appearances, and endless distractions. In this world, Islam offers a timeless solution:
Begin with your eyes.
Lower your gaze.
Purify your vision.
And let modesty grow from the inside out.
The veil, hijab, niqab — these are all honorable. But the real veil must first be drawn over the eyes — not with cloth, but with consciousness.
“A covered body with wandering eyes still strays.
But an uncovered face with a guarded gaze still obeys.”
Let us all, men and women, reclaim modesty — not only in our clothing — but in our glances, our screens, and our hearts.
For in the end, Allah sees not just what we wear, but how we look.