Does looking at the ‘awrah invalidate the fast? هل النظر إلى العورة يفسد الصيام ؟

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.   As to what follows:   In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:   It is compulsory to cover the ‘awrah. Allah the Exalted said, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things)”. [Surah an-Nur: 30], and “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things)” [Surah an-Nur: 31]. If a person’s gaze falls on what is forbidden to look at like someone else’s ‘awrah, it is compulsory for him to turn his eyes away and not look, because it was transmitted in Muslim from the hadeeths of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A man should not look at the private parts of another man, and a woman should not look at the private parts of another woman.” [Muslim (338)]. This proves that the ‘awrah should be safeguarded. In the hadeeth of Bahz ibn Hakeem, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather , that was transmitted in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad it is stated, “He said, O Messenger of Allah! What is permissible and impermissible concerning our ‘awrah?”. He said, “If you can let no one see your ‘awrah, do so” [Musnad Ahmad (20034)]. This proves that it is compulsory to safeguard ‘awrah.  Even when a person is alone, he should safeguard his ‘awrah by covering it”. He said, “O Messenger of Allah if one of us is alone, (what should he do)?” He replied: “Allah is more entitled of being shown bashfulness”. [Musnad Ahmad (20034)]. It is part of being bashful of Allah that He should be revered, and that a person should safeguard his ‘awrah while in seclusion except if there is need or benefit in not doing so.   Therefore, it is compulsory to lower gazes and not look at ‘awrah. If a person accidentally looks another ‘awrah, he should avert his glance. However, this does not affect the validity of his fasting, prayer or act of worship.