Ali's counsel on restraining lustful gazes

420. It is related that Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was sitting with his companions when a beautiful woman passed by them and they began to look at her whereupon Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said:

The eyes of these men are covetous and this glancing is the cause of their becoming covetous. Whenever anyone of you sees a woman who attracts him, he should meet his wife because she is a woman like his wife.

Then, one of the Khārijites said: Allāh may kill this heretic. How logical he is! The people then leapt towards him to kill him but Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said:

Wait a bit. There should either be abuse for abuse or else pardon from the offence.