What is the Islamic view on touching or looking at women and their sweetness?

Assalaamu ‘Alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh.

It appears to us that your questions are based on a Hadeeth narrated by Aishah (radhiallaahu anha) according to which, a woman who was not content with her second husband, expressed her wish to return to her first husband. Upon which the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said : ” No (this cannot be), until you taste his sweetness and he tastes yours”

This hadeeth is pertaining to the issue of “Halaalah”. Please refer to the following answer where this issue has been explained clearly:
http://www.muftisays.com/qa.php?viewpage=viewQA&question=3660

1) According to all for Imaams of Jurisprudence (Fiqh), along with Nikaah, sexual intercourse with the second husband is necessary for the woman to become halaal (lawful) for her first husband. This is proven from the following verse of the Qur’aan :

“And if he has divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful unto him thereafter until she has married another husband. Then, if the other husband divorces her, it is no sin on both of them that they reunite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. These are the limits of Allah, which He makes plain for the people who have knowledge.” (al-Baqarah, 2:230)

In the aforementioned verse, the word “tankih” is derived from the root word “nikaah” which literally means to have sexual intercourse. Since marriage is an istitution that makes sexual intercourse lawful between husband and wife, the word Nikaah began to be commonly used for marriage itself. Jumhoor Ulamaa (majority of scholars) are of the opinon that the word “tankiha’ in this verse has been used in its literal meaning. This is because the words “zawj” has been used thereafter, which means husband. By studying the translation, you will find that it says “marry another husband”. It is obvious that a husband is the man you are already married to, thus the act of marriage cannot be done with him. This makes it clear that the word “tankiha” (though translated as “marries”) has been used in its literal meaning, which is sexual intercourse.

2) According to Jumhoor Ulamaa (majority of the scholars), the meaning of “sweetness” in the Hadeeth in question, is the pleasure of intercourse. The few who say otherwise, are of the opinion that along with intercourse, ejaculation if semen is also necessary.

3) Although the term “sweetness” in the Hadeeth has been interpreted as the pleasure of intercourse, it does not mean that the sweetness of a woman solely lies in sexual intercourse. But none can deny, that all else is foreplay, and the ultimate pleasure is achieved during intercourse. The prohibition of touching, talking to or looking at a strange woman is based on the fact that these are actions that lead to the despicable act of intercourse out of wedlock (fornication). Allaah Most High says:

“And do not even draw near to fornication. Surely it is an indecent (shameless) act and the worst of ways (Bani Israa-eel, 17:32)

Zina (fornication) is a major sin and likewise all actions that lead to the ultimate crime of Zina are also forbidden.

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallaahu ‘anhu) narrates that the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Zina of the eyes to look (at na-mahram). The Zina of the tongue is to speak, and the nafs (carnal self) desires and lusts, while the private part either confirms or contradicts.” (Muslim)

We hope this explanation clears whatever doubts you may have regarding this issue.

And Allaah knows best.

Wa Billaah-it-tawfiq.

Wassalaam.

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A. Z. Pandor