<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) The command to lower the gaze applies to men in general, and to women when there is potential evil resulting from them looking at men.<br> 2) The Hadith highlights the guidance of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in his teaching of the nation and instructing those who erred in the question he asked.<br> Note:<br> It is invalid to use this Hadith as evidence to argue that it is absolutely prohibited for a woman to look at men given its weak Isnād, and because it contradicts many other authentic Hadiths whose apparent indication is that it is permissible for a woman to look at a man if it it is only temporary and without lust. Examples of this is the Hadith of ‘Āishah (may Allah be pleased with her) looking at the Abyssinian men (playing with their shields and spears), and the Hadith on women going out to the mosque at the time of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Moreover, men are not ordered to observe Hijāb as is the case with women.<br> Hence, the apparent indication is that women are permitted to look at men in an ordinary manner, not intentionally or lustfully. However, men are forbidden from looking intentionally at non-mahram women, given the difference between the nature of a man’s gaze at a woman and a woman’s gaze at a man.