Fatwa: #282
Country : New Zealand
Question:
I know someone who is addicted to pornography and masturbation. He said he tries his best and leave it for 1-3 days and then falls into it again because his urges and desires get out of his control. He is at the age of marriage but unsure if he should. With a problem like this, should he try and leave the addiction first or get married asap to avoid falling into other sins?? If you can answer this for him Insha Allah
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query regarding your friend and his addiction to pornography, our response is as follows:
Our advice is that he should sincerely make Taubah and Istighfaar and get married as soon as possible.
It is narrated in a Hadeeth:
يَا مَعْشَرَ الشَّبَابِ، مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمُ الْبَاءَةَ فَلْيَتَزَوَّجْ، فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلْبَصَرِ، وَأَحْصَنُ لِلْفَرْجِ، وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ.
Translation :“O group of youth, whoever among you has the ability to marry, then let him marry, for it is effective in lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts. And whoever is unable to marry, then he should fast, for fasting will diminish his sexual power”
(Sahih al-Bukhari , Hadith 5066)
He may also refer to the following answer from the Darul Ifta regarding pornography:
Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Quraan-e-Majeed:
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ فَمَنِ ابْتَغَى وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ
المؤمنون (٧-٥)
Translation: And those who safeguard their private organs (from adultery, fornication and other illicit sexual acts) except when it comes to their spouses and the bondswomen whom they own. They will surely not be blamed about (cohabiting with) them. Whoever seeks more then this (by fulfilling their sexual desires in a manner that the Shari’ah forbids), then such persons are transgressors (sinners) indeed.
Only two permissible avenues for the gratification of sexual desires have been stipulated in the aforementioned Ayaat viz. a spouse and a female slave.
Masturbation is not a permissible means of subduing the carnal desires. [1]
Pornography and masturbation are despicable sins that destroy one’s Ākhirat and one’s Dunyā. The heart becomes dark, a person loses the sweetness of Īmān, and becomes distant from Allah Ta‘ālā.
The Nafs (carnal desires) will always try to pull a person toward what is wrong. If we constantly satisfy the Nafs like a child, it will soon become uncontrollable. It is never satisfied; it will always seek something more extreme until a person is completely destroyed. We need to discipline the Nafs, and as soon as an evil thought comes to our mind, we should engage in Dhikr and remove ourselves from such an environment.
Pornography is a lifeless image, yet an image on a screen creates chaos and havoc in one’s mind and heart. Even while a person engages in ‘Ibādah, images of filth may continue to surface. Once a person becomes addicted, many mention that they no longer experience any real enjoyment; it is done merely out of addiction. This destroys a person’s memory, mind, and body. A person weakens their private organs and suffers various issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. After marriage, one may no longer appreciate the beauty of his Halāl wife, because his mind is instead filled with flashes of filthy images.
Always ponder over the Ayat:
الم يعلم بان الله يري
Does he not know that Allah is watching ?
[Surah Alaq : 14]
We may feel that we are all alone, but in reality Allah Ta‘ālā is seeing everything and the angels are recording our actions.
How would one feel if one’s parents, wife, Ustadh, or student were to see one in such a state?
What if the Angel of Death were to extract one’s Rūḥ (soul) while one is engaged in such a shameful act?
What if Allah Ta‘ālā were to send a punishment and we were to lose our sight or suffer some other devastating calamity?
Even if our sin is concealed in this world, what will we do when it is exposed on the Day of Qiyāmah in front of Rasulullah ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam and all those who respected us?
Make Muraqabah of the above daily.
However, do not despair! Allah Ta‘ālā is waiting for His servants to turn back to Him. Run to Allah Ta‘ālā in tears and make a firm intention never to return to the sin. This may seem impossible, but with the help of Allah Ta‘ālā, even great sinners of the past became the Awliyā’ of Allah Ta‘ālā.
Below are 10 points that you should implement immediately:
1. Stop using the internet unless there is a valid reason.
Do not surf the net, use social media platforms, or follow the news unnecessarily. Avoid magazines or anything that contains images of people. As soon as the urge arises to do wrong, resist it—close the computer, engage in Dhikr, leave the room, and do something else.
If butter is placed in a hot pan, it will melt. Likewise, if someone touches an electric wire, they will get shocked. Similarly, if one opens websites that contain immoral images, one is bound to fall into sin.
2. Use your laptop in a common area where people can see you.
3. Keep your tongue and heart engaged in Dhikr.
Remember the saying: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
4. Pray Tahajjud.
In the Ahadith it is mentioned that the performance of Tahajjud is a means of protection from sin.
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّهُ دَأَبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْهَاةٌ لِلْإِثْمِ
سنن الترمذي أبواب الدعوات
Hadrat Abu Umamah radiyallahu anhu reported: The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alai wa sallam, said, “You must perform the night prayer for it is the habit of the righteous who came before you, it brings you closer to your Lord, it expiates your evil deeds, and prevents you from sinning.”
5. Avoid places that may expose you to immodesty and ignite desire,
such as beaches, malls, etc.
6. Frequent the masjid and keep the company of the righteous.
Avoid being alone unnecessarily.
7. Penalise yourself.
If you fall into sin, give some amount in Sadaqah as a form of self-discipline.
8. Reflect on the bounties of Allah Ta‘ālā.
There are countless blessings in the eye alone: I can see colours, shapes, the Qur’ān, the Ka‘bah, and the faces of my parents, wife, and children. The list is endless. Every breath I inhale is a blessing; every breath I exhale is a blessing. Allah Ta‘ālā provides me with food and drink every day. How can I use these Ni‘mats in His disobedience?
This reflection will increase the love of Allah Ta‘ālā. Once we truly love Him, we will not wish to disobey Him.
9. Think about death before sleeping.
Imagine the Angel of Death coming and my soul being taken while my family weeps. Reflect on the reality that my body will be washed, the Kafan placed upon me, and my lifeless body carried to the graveyard. I will be placed alone in a dark pit with insects.
10. Always make Tawbah immediately.
There is no guarantee of life. Make Wudu, pray two Raka‘āts, and cry before Allah Ta‘ālā. If you repent sincerely, Allah Ta‘ālā will grant you the Tawfīq to stop. Do not abandon Tawbah due to the whisperings of Shayṭān and make the sin a habit in your life.
If you are not married then make an effort to get married as soon as possible. Nabi sallallahu alai wa sallam has mentioned:
“And whoever cannot (marry) should fast, for it is a means of reducing the sexual desire.” (Mishkat Kitabun Nikah)
Turn to Allah Ta’ala to grant you a pious and suitable spouse. Make it a regular practice to recite the following Duas:
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Translation: O Our Rabb! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the pious.
رَبِّ إِنّى لِما أَنزَلتَ إِلَىَّ مِن خَيرٍ فَقيرٌ
Translation: O My Rabb! Truly I am in need of whatever good You bestow on me
Finally, do not despair! Allah Ta‘ālā is waiting for His servants to turn back to Him. Run to Allah Ta‘ālā in tears and make a firm intention never to return to the sin. This may seem impossible, but with the help of Allah Ta‘ālā, even great wrongdoers of the past became the Awliyā’ of Allah Ta‘ālā.
Listen to the lectures of Hazrat Shah Maulana Hakeem Akhtar Sahib (Rahimahullah), Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hameed Ishaq Sahib (Damat Barakatuhu), and Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahimahullah).
Also, read the book The Harms of Lustful Glances by Hazrat Shah Maulana Hakeem Akhtar Sahib (Rahimahullah). These lectures and the book may be of great benefit in helping one understand the harms of lustful gazes and in developing greater awareness and control over one’s desires.
May Allah Ta’ala keep him steadfast on His Deen! Ameen
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
23rd Rabiul Awwal 1448
6th September 2026
[1] وكذا الاستمناء بالكف وإن كره تحريما لحديث «ناكح اليد ملعون»
كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار (2/399)
الاستمناء حرام، وفيه التعزير، ولو مكن امرأته، أو أمته من العبث بذكره، فأنزل، فإنه مكروه، ولا شيء عليه، كذا في السراج الوهاج.
كتاب الفتاوى الهندية (2/170)
قوله: “لا لجلبها” أي فيحرم لما روي عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم ناكح اليد ملعون وقال ابن جريج سألت عنه عطاء فقال: مكروه وسمعت قوما يحشرون وأيديهم حبالى فأظنهم هؤلاء وقال سعيد بن جبير عذب الله أمة كانوا يعبثون بمذاكيرهم وورد سبعة لا ينظر الله إليهم منهم الناكح يده قوله:
حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح شرح نور الإيضاح (96)
قال عبد الله كنا مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم شبابا لا نجد شيئا فقال لنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يا معشر الشباب من استطاع الباءة فليتزوج فإنه أغض للبصر وأحصن للفرج ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم فإنه له وجاء
(صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 5066)
Above references from Darul Ifta Azaadville