Pornography - Preventative Measures

[ummtaalib]

Defining Pornography

 

Pornography is defined in the English language as an indecent form of art or literature. Islam also views it as indecent and terms it as faahisha in the Quran.

 

Allah says (what means): “Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds whether open or secret.”

 

Faahishah is translated as “shameful deeds” because it refers to every bad deed that is noticeably ugly to human beings. In many places in the Quran, Allah (swt) refers to zinaa, adultery and fornication as a faahishah. In another verse, Allah (swt) refers to the marrying of one’s father’s wife also as being a faahishah because, like adultery, anyone with a pure nature will clearly see it as hideous. Allah (swt) also calls the crime of the people of Lut (as), homosexuality, a faahishah. Likewise to view pictures of nudity, sexual suggestion, intimacy between two people, or a person of the opposite gender who is improperly covered (Islamically) is also an ugly sin to anyone who wishes to adhere to piety.

[ummtaalib]

What are the actual affects of watching pornographic movies & pictures

 

Answer

Your question on viewing porn has been brought to my attention in the social department. Firstly though, I would like to ask you, why would anybody, especially a Muslim want to watch porn?

 

Brother, before I go on to discuss this matter further, let me remind you about how most of these porn pics are made. You are probably aware of it but I shall remind you. Most of the girls and women are forced to perform in these movies after being kidnapped from their homes or home countries and traded as “sex slaves” into some foreign country. There is no guarantee that anybody’s daughters, sisters or wives may not fall into the hands of these evil men who kidnap these women. The women are treated in the most vile way, beaten up, tortured, starved and brutally punished if they resist.

 

Many end up dead in gutters or alleys if they stubbornly resist against being used this way. Nobody ever knows who they are because their identities have been confiscated by their kidnappers. Let me go further. The lust that feeds individuals who watch this filth becomes insatiable and they need greater “highs”, so what do they do? They turn to child porn!!

 

Can you imagine your child or the child of a family member being subjected to this vile treatment? (May Allah Ta’ala save us, ameen). Babies and very young girls and boys are used, to the extent that they are made to perform bestial acts with animals. Rest assured that nearly all these children die or are killed as they loose their “usability” very quickly. Every person who thinks of watching porn should examine their conscience as to what type of “industry” they are supporting. Even the kuffar have come to realize the great harm this industry is causing to society.

 

Do yourself a favour, for just one full day, cover your eyes and ears completely, that is, shut out all visual and auditory stimuli and consciously deprive yourself of these gifts Allah Ta’ala has given you. At the same time, go about your daily activities in this state. This deprivation will be for one day and in this world only. Thereafter try to picture, if you can, the sort of deprivation in store for one who deliberately abuses and scorns the senses which Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon one. What I am trying to say is that the effects of viewing porn won’t be just on one’s memory. Zina of the ears, heart, eyes and mind (perhaps even hands and loins) occurs when one views porn. One becomes involved in the process of totally and deliberately devastating one ‘s contact with Allah Ta’ala and firmly establishing a bond with shaitaan. May Allah Ta’ala save us from such a catastrophe. Amen.

 

I have pointed out the moral and ethical issues of viewing porn to you. However, try to remember, porn does not just exist in pornographic movies, It exists in adverts, on television etc. I am including two articles which will highlight just how rife this malady is and how we as Muslims need to be very vigilant.

 

Defining Pornography

Reprinted from Young Muslims, ymonline.org, edited slightly by Zawaj.com for readability Have you ever notice the magazines staring at you from one side of the checkout lane of every supermarket? I have. So one day I decided to take action. I turned the first magazine in every row to its backside. Not surprisingly, when I returned the next day they were turned back. Why did I turn them over? Because they were pornographic. Why were they turned back?

Because they sell.

 

Perhaps most Muslims think that pornography is only that uncensored filth that is accessible through XXX movies and certain Internet sites, but in fact, by Islamic standards, much of what is considered normal in advertising is actually pornographic. The purpose of flailing these seductive images is to arouse the lower desires of people and to weaken their self-restrain and taint their thoughts. It bombards the Muslim, especially the youth, with indecent and suggestively seductive images. Unfortunately, most Muslims are so oblivious of the presence and influence of these Shaytanic (Satanic) images, that they regularly view them through various types of media.

 

Defining Pornography

Pornography is defined in the English language as an indecent form of art or literature. Islam also views it as indecent and terms it as faahisha in the Quran.

 

Allah says (what means): “Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds whether open or secret.”

 

Faahishah is translated as “shameful deeds” because it refers to every bad deed that is noticeably ugly to human beings. In many places in the Quran, Allah (swt) refers to zinaa, adultery and fornication as a faahishah. In another verse, Allah (swt) refers to the marrying of one’s father’s wife also as being a faahishah because, like adultery, anyone with a pure nature will clearly see it as hideous. Allah (swt) also calls the crime of the people of Lut (as), homosexuality, a faahishah. Likewise to view pictures of nudity, sexual suggestion, intimacy between two people, or a person of the opposite gender who is improperly covered (Islamically) is also an ugly sin to anyone who wishes to adhere to piety.

 

Television

One of the most pervasive tools of pornography is the television. Shows like “Dawson’s Creek” and “Baywatch” have no other purpose except to display blatant degrees of nakedness and indecent scenes of intimacy. Movies also succeed in conveying lewd imagery by almost always including a love/lust story in the story line. However there are other forms of pornography on TV that are much more subtle. For example, most Muslims would not realize that the viewing of several sports events includes pornographic images. The swimsuits that are worn by both men and woman during the Olympics are iniquitously revealing. They expose the ‘awrah of a woman and a man for their respective genders and the opposite gender.

 

The word ‘awrah refers to those parts of the body which are Islamically prohibited to expose in front of another (either the opposite gender or the same gender). For example, it is a must for a woman to cover all of her body except for her face and hands in front of men who are permissible for her to marry – that is her ‘awrah. Likewise the man’s ‘awrah is everything between his navel and knees while in front of a woman or a man. The skimpy swimsuits worn by these athletes just don’t meet the Islamic dress code.

 

Underwear Ads

Another subtle example regards women who view advertisements that contain pictures of other women modeling bras and underwear. The ‘awrah of Muslim women in front of other Muslim women doesn’t allow these areas of the body to be exposed and hence it is haram for even a woman to view them.

 

It is also important to keep in mind that a person could be “clothed but naked” as Rasoolullah (saws) said. For example, competitors in races usually wear some sort of bodysuit that adheres very tightly to their skin and the exact shape of their body parts is apparent. This is almost equivalent to being naked, since it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what is under such type of clothing.

 

Lowering the Gaze

When such images become prevalent in a society, what is deemed pornographic changes drastically. The very standard of modesty, which should be a defining characteristic of Muslim dress and behavior, will become degraded. The Islamic standard must be upheld. The true believer fears Allah’s judgement and knows that no act will go unaccounted for and that even his own eyes will bear witness against him on the Day of Judgement. Allah (swt) says: “Until, when they reach it (Hell-Fire) their hearing and eyes and skin will testify against them as to what they used to do.” Rasoolullah (saws) warned us that there is a zinaa of the eyes just as there is a zinaa of the private parts.

 

The Islamic solution to living in a society where pornographic images are so visible is to lower one’s gaze.

 

Allah (swt) says: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well aquainted with all they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof. “

 

The scholars of tafseer say that this means that both men and woman are obliged to direct their sight away from that which is haram and that there is no harm in looking at that which is halal (such as viewing one’s spouse while they are uncovered).

 

In regard to these verses Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) says: “So He (Allah) put purity after lowering of the gaze and protecting of the private parts. For this reason lowering the gaze away from the prohibited things warrants three great benefits. The first of them is the sweetness of Imaan and the pleasure that comes from it, which is more sweet and pleasing than that which he diverted his eyes away from for Allah’s sake. Verily, whoever abandons a thing for Allah’s sake, He (swt) compensates him with better than it. The second benefit is a light in the heart and quality of intuition. And the third benefit is the strength of the heart and steadfastness and courage. So Allah (swt) would give him, by His strength, the ability of wisdom and substantiation, and the devil would flee from him as it has been mentioned in the saying, “Whoever fears his whims, the devil would race out of his shadow.”

 

Indeed, the opposite is also true. This is because the eyes are the most direct path to the heart. One who allows his whims to overwhelm him and indulges his eyes in the viewing of haram things has weakened his heart, corrupted his soul, and invited shaytan to control him.

 

How to Lower our Gaze

“If I were not a Muslim, I would have contacted AIDS!” proclaimed my friend. “The ayahs in Surah Nur about lowering our gazes doesn’t affect me anymore”, expressed another youth, talking about the intense temptations felt by today’s youth. Difficulty in lowering the gaze by both the young and old is readily perceived on the street, weddings, parties and even in the Masjids.

 

What has gone wrong with our Ummah? Us Muslims, called by Allah, our Creator, as the best Ummah, Model Community, custodians of Truth and the Upholders of Morality behaving in this way? Why are we adopting the attitudes and routes of the Kuffar? How can we rectify ourselves?

 

What follows are a series of practical, though graphic advice which can work for us and set us free from Satan’s stronghold, insha Allah.

 

Prophet Muhammad, Sallallhu alayhi wa sallam, by way of warning and as a reminder said: “I have not left a fitnah (trial, calamity or cause for calamity) after me more than (the fitnah) with women for men” (Bukhari and Muslim). Also was related by our Prophet : “The world is sweet and verdant, and Allah having put you in it in your turn watches how you act; so fear the world and fear women, for the first trial of the Bani israel had to do with women” (Muslim)

 

Being optimistic, a ray of hope was also wisely provided during Prophet’s Last Sermon on way to avoid the above pitfall: “If the Ummah hold on to the Quran and the Sunnah, it will not go astray”. When Allah created us humans will all the desires and urges, He also revealed to us sufficient and complete guidance to contain them through proper channels. All we need to do is seek this guidance, contemplate on it and implement it. “This day I have perfected you deen for you, completed my favors upon you and chosen Islam as your deen” (5:3)

 

Realize the fact that the great Sahabas were humans beings too. Biologically they were no different from us, they too had desires and temptations of the human species, and yet they controlled them in the best of ways. We can too, insha Allah. To posses sensual passions is Human, to control them is Muslim.

 

When confronted with a luring situation, like passing by a non-mahram on the street, office, or a school, Satan is constantly tempting us to glare at her with evil thoughts. Satan is probably excitingly saying with a big smile `Yes’, `Yes’, `Yes’, when we steer into the bait he is setting. During these situations immediately and consciously realize that when we give a second or following glances, we are obeying Satan. “O you who believe, follow not the footsteps of the devil…” (24:21). By immediately averting our gazes and disobeying Satan, we are giving him a one two punch in the face which leaves him frustrated, accursed and defeated.

 

Satan rebelled and was expelled by Allah, so lets all rebel against Satan and expel him from our hearts. Satan intents to fight a war against the believers, so lets gather our forces behind Quran and Sunnah and defeat him.

 

Remember that even if no human eye is watching us, the ever watchful Allah is constantly monitoring the innermost regions of our heart. Our eyes, limbs, tongue and private parts will all be witnesses for or against us on the Day of Judgement and not an atoms worth of our deeds will remain unexamined.

 

Psychologically our minds are conditioned to associate our thoughts of stealing clothes from a store to being in handcuffs and hauled into a police van. Likewise, we should condition our minds to bring the verses of Surah Nur in front of our eyes during any tempting situation and imagine that during that particular instance Allah (SWT) is speaking to us directly: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, that will make for greater purity for them…Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty…O you believers! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may attain success” (24:30,31). What a beautiful guidance and what a sublime reward for implementing it.

 

With practice, the above associations and the remembrance of Allah during tempting situations will prevent us from getting stuck by devilish arrows. Successful controlling our gazed also depends upon our avoidance of sinful situations. Al Islamic idiom (Usul Al-Fiqh) says: “Anything that leads to haraam is haaram in itself”. Therefore cutting any unlawful situation in their bud is what we should strive for. Performance of a pious deed is rewarded and avoidance of a sinful deed is also rewarded, Al-Hamdulillah.

 

One of the biggest culprits which encourage us to disobey the ayahs in Surah Nur, are the movies. In the name of entertainment, to please our peers and children and as an excuse to do something together as a family, we astonishingly allow the development of un-Islamic scenes and dialogues in front of our eyes. Can we ever imagine (Na’udubillah) any Sahaba renting the latest hit from Blockbuster videos, or listening to music with luring lyrics at high volume?

 

Likewise, we watch news on TV and stare at the anchorwomen, female gymnasts, and female swimmers who are scantly dressed. Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was once approached by a women with a proposal for marriage. He took a single glance at her and turned his face way. Jabir bin Abdullah reported: “I asked Allah’s messenger about the sudden glance on the face of a non-Mahram. He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes” (Muslim). Thus we are not suppose to stare at the faces of non-Mahrams of opposite gender, be they our fellow students, elders, saleswomen or the one of TV.

 

Pious ladies of the Prophet’s household were even ordered to do purdah in front of a Blind Sahaba. Upon the curious question as to why purdah when the blind Sahaba can’t see them, Prophet wisely replies: “But you could see him” (Ahmed, Trimidhi, Abu Dawood)

 

Each one of us may have become culprit of not obey the ayahs in Surah Nur. It is not too late to realize these short comings and work at rectifying ourselves. Above all, we should always ask forgiveness of Allah (SWT). Indeed blessed are those Muslims who are able to check their gazes, thus conserving their precious time and energy, and working in the cause of Allah to reclaim our positions as the superpowers of the world.

 

Let’s contemplate on the above humble advises and constantly make the following supplication: “O Allah help us in controlling our sensual desires until we get married, and after our marriage, let our desires be only towards our spouses…ameen”

 

Insha’allah, we Muslims will have the courage to adhere to our deen through all these vile temptations which confront us and may we remain steadfast on the STRAIGHT PATH which Allah Ta’ala has favoured for us. Ameen.

 

and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Sister Fadila

SOCIAL DEPT.

CHECKED AND APPROVED: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

Source

[ummtaalib]

Pornography and Masturbation Addiction

 

Assalaamu Alaikum, my dear brother in Islam. I need your help. I have a problem, a problem that I cannot control and I don’t know what to do. The problem I have is watching porn and masturbation. I know this act is a shameful act, but i do not know what to do.I have tried waking the entire night,praying the night Salah, and making dua to Allah to help me. I cannot control this habit, and I feel as though it has become an addiction to me, and is causing my heart to lose its Iman. Please help me brother, give me a zikr to do, anything that can help me overcome this problem. I stayed away from watching these Haraam stuff during Ramadan, but as soon as Ramadan was over, I continued, please help me and tell me what can I do to stop this problem, to help me stop watching porn and masturbating. Please tell me what can I do. Jazaakallah.

 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

 

Alhamdulillah, we commend you on your sincerity and good intentions to give up the filthy and heinous sins of watching pornography and masturbation.

 

Kindly refer to the following article on pornography addiction:

 

Pornography is a technological form of adultery and fornication and a major sin.

 

It is even worse than fornicating with an animal or even worse than fornicating with a corpse.

 

An animal is a living creation; a corpse is also a creation, albeit dead.

 

Pornography exhibits pictures. There is no life at all in them.

 

Imagine a lifeless object playing havoc in one’s heart, mind and soul. The eyes are polluted with the evil that’s on the screen. The mind and soul reacts to those lifeless pictures.

 

If one engages in an illicit relationship with a corpse, what’s the difference between that and lifeless pictures?

 

How low can we stoop to allow lifeless pictures to control and fulfill our passions?

 

Furthermore, pornography addiction could be worse than drug addiction. A drug addict could be rehabilitated and detoxified.

 

Over time, the effects of drugs come out of his system.

 

In the case of a porn addict, the sight of porn pictures may remain in his heart and mind for a long time. At times, the sight remains whilst in Salaah or in other forms of Ibadat.

 

In the case of a married person, while being physical with the spouse, the mental state is being controlled by the pornographic sights.

 

The negative consequences of pornography are too many to mention.

 

In brief, it robs one of true human values and spirituality.

 

The real life and essence of Eemaan is lost. If a person is sincere in making Tawba from this evil act, he can be rehabilitated according to his level of sincerity.

 

One should not be despondent and never despair.

 

People who fornicated at night clubs and casinos made Tawba and became the Walis of Allah. Why can’t you?

 

The biggest question to ask yourself is what if the angel of death comes while seeing this….

 

We advise you to immediately undertake the following remedial measures to solve your addiction:

 

 

1. Restrict your internet usage to the bare minimum and only out of need and necessity.

 

2. Use the computer in a common place when people are around you.

 

3. Request some elderly person who you respect, your parents, your wife or any other person to invigilate you when you are using the internet.

 

4. Imagine the disgrace and shame that will overcome you if your wife, parents or teacher comes to know of the filthy act that you have done. Where would you hide your face if the entire public comes to know of the sin that you are involved in?

 

5. Before you sleep every night, think about death and how you will be buried in the grave with no-one to assist you and help you. Imagine Ghusl (pre-burial bathing)being done to you, you will then be enshrouded with the Kafn, people will be crying, the Janaza Salaah will be performed and then your body will be carried to the graveyard and then you will be buried in the depths of the ground. Who will be there to assist you on that day? Every day, take out some time before you go to sleep and think about death. Insha’Allah, this will remove the ghaflat (heedlessness) from your Nafs.

 

6. Keep yourself occupied at all times. Keep a Tasbeeh(rosary) in your pocket and whenever you have time and you are not really doing anything, take out your Tasbeeh (rosary) and make Dhikr. Remember that “An idle mind is a devils workshop”.

 

Remain firm and resolute in your quest. Never give up hope. Always, keep trying. Never give way to the subtle whisperings of Shaytaan. At first, refraining from sins might be extremely difficult, but after constant struggle and punishing of the Nafs, the Nafs will finally become tamed and then you will feel pleasure in refraining from sins. Insha’Allah, one day Allah (Ta’ala) will open up his treasures of Ma’rifat and Mahabbah to you. Aameen.

 

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says:

 

و الذين جاهدوا فينا لنهدينهم سبلنا

 

“And those who strive to attain our pleasure; we shall definitely guide them to our paths” (Al- Qur’an, 29: 69)

 

In the above verse, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) promises those who make an effort to gain the love of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). The promise of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely come to pass, there can be no doubt about that. All that is required is that we continue striving in this path and we will surely attain the Ma’rifat of Allah (Ta’ala).

 

Kindly refer to the following link for details on curing masturbation:

http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/19499

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

 

Source

[ummtaalib]

Please help me with the problem of addiction to pornography.

 

Salam , I have hifzed 18 paras alhamdulillah but i have a serious problem being hafiz it shouldn’t be happened i have addicted to pornography i do repent sincerly but tauba gets break due to shaitani waswasas pls help me in my problem jazakallah

 

 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

 

When dealing with the problem of pornography, you will have to focus on the root causes of your addiction to eliminate it. You will also have to build a firm determination to give it up with the Tawfīq (Divine Ability) of Allāh Ta‛ālā.

 

After admitting that you have a problem, below are practical steps you should take to eliminate your addiction with the Divine Help of Allāh Ta‛ālā who has power over all things:

 

1. Stay far away from the danger of pornography. This means that you should take all necessary steps to remove the means of watching pornography before the desire comes to do so. If it is a picture or video stored on your computer, hard-drive, etc., delete it immediately. Also, if you have downloaded any pornography, delete all of it as well as your browsing history and bookmarks, and empty your cache. If it is on a CD or DVD, destroy it immediately. If it is the facility of adult programming on television, do everything possible to disconnect the service immediately. Get rid of all pornographic material in your home or office.

 

2. Control your thoughts. The desire to watch pornography begins in a person’s mind by lustful thoughts cast by Shaytān (the Devil). A person desires to watch pornography because he finds it interesting. If the thought of watching pornography comes to your mind, you should control your mind by eradicating the thought of pornography being interesting. The moment the desire to watch it enters your mind, you should think of it to be extremely harmful to watch. You must abhor watching pornography.

 

3. When you are alone and have nothing to do, find something good to do. If you cannot find anything good to do when the evil thoughts come to mind, go outside and take a walk until the evil desire to watch pornography goes away.

 

4. If you are watching pornography on a computer, keep the computer in a place where there is no privacy for the user. Also, use the internet only when necessary. If you do not have anything useful to do on the internet, do not spend your time merely surfing through various websites. Rather turn off the computer and engage in some other useful activity.

 

5. Be proactive if the pornography is displayed unwillingly while browsing the internet. Close the window immediately. When you are browsing the internet, be a responsible individual and exercise restraint from all sites related to pornography in the slightest way.

 

6. Seek protection in Allāh Ta‛ālā from Shaytān when he whispers the evil desire of watching pornography in your heart. If after taking all steps to distance yourself from pornography, the desire comes to watch it, recite immediately:

 

أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيم

 

I seek protection in Allāh Ta‛ālā from Shaytān (the Devil) the accursed.

 

 

لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

 

There is no strength (to ward off evil) and there is no power (to do good) except by Allāh Ta‛ālā, the most High, the Great.

 

7. If you ever do watch pornography out of weakness, feel guilty and remorseful. Make sincere Tawbah (repentance) from your heart and turn towards Allāh Ta‛ālā. Plead to Him to save you from the evil of your soul and the plots of Shaytān (the Devil). Even if you repeat the sin of watching pornography again and again, do not let the day pass and you have not made Tawbāh (repented) for the sin.

 

8. Develop the quality of Taqwā (consciousness of Allāh Ta‛ālā) within you. This is achieved by performing all your Salāh punctually, reciting Qur’ān often, making Dhikr of Allāh Ta‛ālā and performing other virtuous actions.

 

9. Adopt the company of the pious people. Befriend the ‛Ulamā’ of your locality, remain close to them and take benefit from their discourses. Go out for some time in Tablīgh (in the Path of Allāh Ta‛ālā to propagate Dīn). By changing your environment, you will automatically abhor the sin of pornography and you will eventually find it easy to refrain from it.

 

10. Supplicate to Allāh Ta‛ālā often to help you to overcome your weakness. True power to save yourself from all sin is only from Allāh Ta‛ālā. In your supplications, recite the following Du‛ā, keeping in mind its meaning when reciting it:

 

 

اَللَّهُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَيْنَا الإِيمَانَ، وَزَيِّنْهُ فِي قُلُوبِنَا، وَكَرِّهْ إِلَيْنَا الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ، وَاجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الرَّاشِدِينَ

 

 

Oh Allāh! Make Īmān beloved to us and beatify it in our hearts, and make disbelief, sinfulness and disobedience detestable to us, and make us from amongst the rightly-guided ones.

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mahmood Patel
Azaadville, South Africa

Student Darul Iftaa

 

Checked and Approved by

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.daruliftaa.net

[ummtaalib]

Staying away from pornography and masturbation

 

I have a serious problem…this problem is on masturbation and watching pornogrophy. I know these actions are Haraam, but I have such a weakness. Every time I repent to Allah, and promise myself I won’t do it, but always go bsck to the same sin. Please help me, I feel ss though I am a loser and is lost. I need to overcome this and somehow try to control my nafs.

 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

 

Pornography and masturbation are evil and despicable sins which ruin the life of an individual. One is deprived of the sweetness of Imaan. His heart and soul becomes dull and develops an aversion towards Ibaadah and nearness to Allah Ta’ala.

 

It is imperative a Muslim constraints his Nafs. Allah Ta’ala says “Verily the Nafs is inclined to evil” (12:54)

 

The example of the nafs is like a small child; it always demands to get what it wants. The parents of the child know what is beneficial for the child and what is not. They do not accede to everything the child wants even if the child screams or cries. Rather, they take measures to discipline the child. They refine him into a respectable person having good qualities. Similarly, we need to refine our nafs and not allow it everything it wants.

 

Brother in Islam, remember that even if no human eye is watching us, the ever watchful Allah knows the innermost regions of our heart. The true believer fears Allah’s judgement and knows that no act will go unaccounted for and that even his own eyes will bear witness against him on the Day of Judgement.

 

Allah Ta’ala says: “They may hide (their crimes) from men, but they cannot hide (them) from Allah, for He is with them (by His Knowledge), when they spend the night in such that He does not approve, And Allah ever encompasses what they do.”(4:108)

 

Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam) warned us that there is a zinaa of the eyes just as there is a zinaa of the private parts.[1]

 

The negative consequences of pornography are too many to mention. In brief, it robs one of true human values and spirituality. In the case of a married person, while being physical with the spouse, the mental state is being controlled by the pornographic sights. The real life and essence of Imaan is lost. If a person is sincere in making Tawbah from this evil act, he can be rehabilitated according to his level of sincerity. The biggest question to ask yourself is what if the angel of death comes to you in such a state….

 

Here under are few tips which may help you overcome your problem

 

1. Stay away from all such avenues that spurs ones carnal desires, such as immoral friends, malls, beaches etc.

 

2. Protect ones gaze from falling upon non-mahram (unlawful) women. The Prophet (Sallallhu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “I have not left a Fitnah (trial, calamity or cause for calamity) after me more than (the fitnah) with women for men” (Bukhari and Muslim).

 

3. You should not use the internet unless there is a genuine need for it. One cannot place butter into a hot pan and expect it not to melt, likewise you cannot touch an electrical wire and expect not to get shocked. Similarly, if you access immoral websites, you are bound to fall into sins.

 

4. Try to keep your laptop or computer in a place where everyone can see what you are doing. If at any time you feel like browsing through porn websites or feel like masturbating, switch off your computer and immediately engage in something else.

 

5. Do not to remain alone or idle. An idle mind is a devils workshop.

 

6. Frequent the Masajid and the company of pious people. Identify a spiritual guide and benefit from his spirituality. Going out in Tableegh is also useful.

 

7. In order to make sure you follow these rules, any time if you happen to do Haraam, give some charity to the local masjid. Make sure this amount is realistic and reasonable.

 

8. If you are unmarried, try to get married as soon as you can. Nabi (Sallallahu `alayhi wasallam) advised: “O group of youth whoever has the ability to marry then he should marry for verily this is a means of lowering ones gazes and protecting ones chastity. Whoever cannot do so then he should take to fasting for verily this is a shield for him.”(Bukhari)

 

9. Before you sleep every night, think about death and how you will be buried in the grave with no-one to assist you and help you. Imagine Ghusl (pre-burial bathing)being done to you, you will then be enshrouded with the Kafn, people will be crying, the Janaza Salaah will be performed and then your body will be carried to the graveyard and then you will be buried in the depths of the ground. Who will be there to assist you on that day? Every day, take out some time before you go to sleep and think about death. Insha’Allah, this will remove the ghaflat (heedlessness) from your Nafs.

 

Continuously make Dua to Allah to help you abstain from such sins. Make as much as Taubah as possible. If your Taubah is sincere, Allah Ta’ will grant you the Taufeeq to refrain from sins.  Always, keep trying. Never give way to the subtle whisperings of Shaytaan. At first, refraining from sins might be extremely difficult, but after constant struggle and punishing of the Nafs, the Nafs will finally become tamed and then you will feel pleasure in refraining from sins. Allah Ta’ala will indeed help the person who strives to become closer to Him.

 

Abu Huraira( Radhiallahu Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: I am just as My slave believes me to be and I am with him as he remembers Me. (The Holy Prophet) further said: By Allah, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than what one of you would do on finding his lost camel in the waterless desert. When he draws near Me by the span of his hand. I draw near him by the length of a cubit and when he draws near Me by the length of a cubit. I draw near him by the length of a fathom and when he draws near Me walking I draw close to him hurriedly.(Muslim)

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Arshad Ali

Student Darul Iftaa
Trinidad

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

http://www.daruliftaa.net/

[ummtaalib]

Evils of Masturbation

[ummtaalib]

Pornography: An evil indulgence

 

He was a wealthy businessman, a father to three beautiful children and a husband to a pious and humble wife. A respectful family man was what the world saw yet he had a dark evil indulgence, pornography. He would sit hunched over his laptop in his plush office for hours watching the filthiest of videos. His wife was aware of his addiction yet remained silent as he threatened her with divorce on numerous occasions. His thriving business was now on the verge of liquidation, his children were becoming disrespectful and rebellious, his house was to be auctioned and he was now a penniless and homeless man. The evil of his indulgence engulfed his soul and burned his life as well as the barakah from his business.

 

All her life she hated the thought of such filth being available so easily on the internet and television. She was a righteous wife and loving mother. A 'romantic' novel was given to her by her best friend so she read it and soon evil thoughts and desires entered into her mind and heart. She became fiercely addicted to reading and watching pornographic material. Her Salaah was neglected and soon she stopped all her ibaadah. She often indulged her nafs in texting strange men and woman on various dark sites. Her naked lifeless body was found by the police at a downtown hotel, she was raped and murederd. The darkness of her evil indulgence ruined her.

 

A student of hifz, he was the apple of his parents eye. Always brought home an excellent report card and never was he disrespectful or disobedient to his elders. His friends often sent him explicit WhatsApp videos and images in the form of a joke. He never did watch them until he was being labelled as a loser by his mates. He decided to watch just one erotic video and soon it captured his heart. The night he told his parents he was staying over at his best friend’s house was the night he visited a brothel and paid to lose his innocence to a prostitute. A month later he was diagnosed with being H.I.V positive. His submission to his nafs killed his soul.

 

An elegant new bride, innocent and beautiful. She was introduced to pornographic videos on the night of her Nikah. Her husband wanted and asked her to perform sexual acts that she was extremely uncomfortable with and acts that are forbidden in Islam. She never did tell anyone as she felt embarrassed and ashamed. It was supposed to be a regular dinner date with some of his married friends which soon shocked her as she realised it was not just a dinner party but a swingers party. She was now being forced to strip in front of his friends. She felt humiliated and her heart shattered. She escaped that night, yet the horror of it all broke her as her husband continued to force his darkness upon her. That night his best friend raped her as her husband watched as well as recorded was the night she pulled the trigger and ended her life and the life of their child growing inside of her.. He killed her soul and the soul of his unborn child.

Pornography is an evil and dark web designed by shaytaan himself to entice, entrap and enslave our Imaan. Today pornographic material is so easily and readily available even children can access this filth. WhatsApp, email, Facebook and the world wide web have videos as well as images of pornography which are circulated every second of the day. How would you feel if your ten year old son found you watching that dirty video your friend sent to you as a joke? Will it be funny then? How would you feel if your mother found you self-pleasuring and submitting to your nafs and desires? How would you feel if the last image you saw was that of naked people before your eyes shut forever? How would you face your Lord knowing you passed away in the state of filth and fitnah?

 

My dear brothers and sisters I urge you to stop hiding and running away from speaking to your family and even your children (age appropriate) about the evils of pornography. If you are watching this haram on television or addicted to it on the internet or know of someone that needs assistance and guidance please do speak up and seek help.

 

Pornography will steal your peace, rob your home of barakaah and happiness, enslave your every thought, shackle your soul and leave you sinking into its depths of evil darkness.

 

May Allah save us, our children and the entire Ummah from this disease that is spreading like wild fire engulfing all into its flames. Ameen.

Written by Naadira Chhipa

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians