نقش قصد لذت در حرمت نگاه

The Role of the Intention of Pleasure in Sinfulness of Beholding

Islam has considered some behaviors absolutely forbidden; among such behaviors one can refer to beholding an un-intimate womanʹs hair, which may result in arousal of sexual desire. In such cases, Islam does not differentiate between the presence and absence of the intention of receiving pleasure. There are many other behaviors which may be accompanied by pleasure, but they have not primarily been prohibited. Now one can ask: "Is the arousal of sexual desire the reason behind of the prohibition of such behaviors? What roles do the two issues of the intention for receiving pleasure and the knowledge about receiving pleasure play in the prohibition of such behaviors? According to the Qurʹnaic verses, traditions and the ideas of the religious scholars, it can be concluded that the behaviors which arouse sexual desire are not prohibited provided that there is no intention for receiving pleasure behind them; such behaviors are just recommended to be avoided. However, the behaviors which are performed based on the intention of sexual pleasure should be avoided.