Similarly it is forbidden for a man to look at the face of a smooth, beardless boy [amrad] if he is good-looking, whether he looks out of desire or not, whether it is free of enticement or if he fears enticement. This is the sound and preferred doctrine among the true scholars, stipulated by Al-Shafi’i and the most eminent among his companions (may Allah Most High have mercy on them). The evidence for this is that they are in essence like women – they can be desired just like women, they look beautiful just like women, and perhaps many of them may even be better-looking than many women. Moreover, they are prohibited all the more for another reason, this being that certain evil things are possible with them that are unlike those concerning women. But Allah knows better.