Islam strictly prohibits Zina and blocks all doors that may lead to it. In this context, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, considered hungry and lustful looks at a person of the opposite sex as “the Zina of the eye,” according to his saying, “The eyes also commit Zina, and their Zina is the lustful look.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari). He termed the lustful look Zina because it gives sexual pleasure and gratification in an unlawful way. This is also what Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said in the Gospel of Matthew: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery‘. But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5: 2728)
Indeed, such hungry and lustful looks are not merely a danger to chastity but they also result in agitation of the mind and disturbed thoughts.
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states that: “It is not surprising that all the revealed religions have prohibited fornication and adultery (Zina) and have fought against these crimes against society. Islam, the last of the divinely revealed religions, is very strict in prohibiting Zina, for it leads to confusion of lineage, child abuse, the breaking-up of families, bitterness in relationships, the spread of venereal diseases, and a general laxity in morals; moreover, it opens the door to a flood of lusts and self-gratification. Assuredly, the command of Allah, Most High, “…and do not come near Zina; indeed, it is an abomination and an evil way” (Al-Isra’: 32), is just and true.
As we know, when Islam prohibits something, it closes all the avenues of approach to it. This is achieved by prohibiting every step and every means leading to the Haram (unlawful). Accordingly, whatever excites passions, opens ways for illicit sexual relations between a man and a woman, and promotes indecency and obscenity, is Haram.”
Allah Almighty knows best.