Translation:
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard 2983 their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard 2983 their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.
Translation:
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity: 36 this will be most conducive to their purity – [and,] verily, God is aware of all that they do.
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity: 36 this will be most conducive to their purity – [and,] verily, God is aware of all that they do.
Commentary:
36 Lit., "to restrain [something] of their gaze and to guard their private parts". The latter expression may be understood both in the literal sense of "covering of one’s private parts" - i.e., modesty in dress - as well as in the metonymical sense of "restraining one’s sexual urges", i.e., restricting them to what is lawful, namely, marital intercourse (cf. 23:5-6). The rendering adopted by me in this instance allows for both interpretations. The "lowering of ones gaze", too, relates both to physical and to emotional modesty (Razi).
36 Lit., "to restrain [something] of their gaze and to guard their private parts". The latter expression may be understood both in the literal sense of "covering of one’s private parts" - i.e., modesty in dress - as well as in the metonymical sense of "restraining one’s sexual urges", i.e., restricting them to what is lawful, namely, marital intercourse (cf. 23:5-6). The rendering adopted by me in this instance allows for both interpretations. The "lowering of ones gaze", too, relates both to physical and to emotional modesty (Razi).
2983 The rule of modesty applies to men as well as women. A brazen stare by a man at a woman (or even at a man) is a breach of refined manners. Where sex is concerned, modesty is not only "good form": it is not only to guard the weaker sex, but also to guard the spiritual good of the stronger sex.