CONCLUSION:

It is not permissible for women to intentionally gaze at the opposite gender, even without lust. Due to the following: 1⃣. Allāh’s statement: ﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلۡتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَـٰعࣰا فَسۡـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَاۤءِ حِجَابࣲۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكُمۡ أَطۡهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمۡ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ﴾ “When you ask his wives for something, do so from behind a screen: this is purer both for your hearts and for theirs.” [Sūrah Al-Aḥzāb: 53] • This Āyah shows that the sickness of the heart effects both men and women • Thus, prevention is better than cure. 2⃣. The evidences which command with lowering the gaze are general and are applicable to both men and women. For example, after commanding men to lower their gaze, Allāh continues to say: ﴿وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ یَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَیَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ﴾ “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity.” [Sūrah An-Nūr: 31] 3⃣. If we apply the evidences to prohibit men from gazing at women in the general sense, without limiting this to lustful gazes, then the same has to be said in the case of women. 4⃣. This condition of lust has not been mentioned in the evidences, nor was this known from the practice of the Salaf. It is mere ijtihad from some of the scholars. So how can this be used as conclusive evidence?! 5⃣. The evidences cited by the other side are not explicit in supporting their view, rather they have to be interpreted as such. And these same evidences can be interpreted otherwise. 6⃣. The evidences which command with lowering the gaze are definitive/conclusive, whereas the evidences used to allow them to gaze at the opposite gender are inconclusive. 7⃣. The Fitnah in this era is far worse that it has ever been, and so the principle of سد الذرائع (blocking the pathways to evil) is more applicable! 8⃣. Fitnah commonly arises from gazing, even if the initial gaze was not accompanied by lust. 9⃣. Shaytan flows in the children of Adam without discriminating between male and female 🔟. Women have a stronger sexual drive, so it's more incumbent upon them to lower their gaze. .... Read the book for more. FINAL ADVICE: O Salafi sister, your thirst for knowledge should not be quenched by watching videos of ustadhs online, for indeed your shyness will diminish, slowly but surely, by gazing at the opposite gender. Read her poem ⤵️ https://t.me/madrasatuna/3010