Lowering the gaze in Islam means: 1- Refraining from looking at people’s `Awrahs, which includes the beauty of a non-mahram woman. 2- Refraining from looking into people’s houses and things that are behind closed doors. 3- Refraining from looking at what people have of wealth, wives, children, worldly goods and so on.

There is nothing wrong with a man greeting a non-Mahram woman with Salam, without shaking her hand, if she is elderly. However, he should not greet a young woman with Salam when there is no guarantee that there will be no Fitnah (temptation).

In countries where free mixing between men and women is widespread, a concession may be granted allowing the Muslims to study, teach, and work in mixed environments if they adhere to the Islamic rulings such as lowering the gaze, and not talking and engaging in conversation more than is necessary for the purpose of work or study.