Outline
- Introduction
- Reflections from Our Previous Article
- #1: Decide to Quit Pornography
- #2: Tell Allah You've Decided to Quit Pornography, and Be Honest
- #3: Quit Pornography… and Make It Once and for All
- #4: Dissociate Yourself from Pornography
- #5: Do Some Qiyāmullayl, and Be Consistent in It
- #6: Consider Fasting Voluntary Fasts
- #7: Engage in More Voluntary Prayers
- #8: Engage Yourself in Productive Activities
- #9: Moisten Your Tongue with Dhikr
- #10: Seek Professional Help, if All the Above Fails
- Conclusion
Introduction
Alḥamdulillah… Infinite thanks and praise are due to Allah, the All-Mighty, the Most-Wise. I send abundant peace and blessings upon the Prophet of purity and intercession on the Day all secrets shall be publicized, Ḥabībī Muḥammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path till judgement day.
This article supplements my previous article, 10 Reasons the Muslim Should Quit Watching Pornography. In that article, I presented reasons I strongly believe would set any one, who’s trapped in the trial of pornography, to start thinking about what and how he ended up there. Those 10 reasons also motivate and inspire any Muslim brethren, who is troubled with pornography to quit.
Since that article presented reasons, for which the Muslim should quit watching pornography without solutions, this article presents solutions to quit pornography for good. Thus, if you missed that piece, consider reading it here, before you continue to read today’s article.
You may be in a hurry to get to the solutions. But allow me to share with you some reflections from the previous article, for the record of some readers of GSalam.Net. This is because it’s important to always have strong, firm and solid reasons and objectives, as well as purpose, behind what we do and what we abstain from.
Note:
Please note that:
- This article is a lengthy piece and a serious one. You may not find fun in reading it, but you’ll reap excitement, by the time you finish reading it, inshā Allah.
- Unlike my other articles, this article contains hyperlinks more than usual. But they all link to other articles I’ve posted here on GSalam.Net. Please do refer to them, as they explain further on issues I couldn’t, in this article.
Reflections from Our Previous Article
As indicated in the introduction, this article supplements my previous, 10 Reasons the Muslim Should Quit Watching Pornography. In addition to everything I wrote in that article, which were all new to me, as they were inspired by conversations I had with troubled Muslim brethren as well as emails from some readers, I've learnt a whole lot of new things about pornography.
I have come to know, that pornography is cheaper, easily accessible on the Internet than I ever perceived. Keying in an innocent search term related to the topic will land you in a jungle of filthy porn materials. Being affected by what I've seen is something, and the fear that my children and yours will have free access to all that behind us was another thing. The question that posed itself automatically was: what plans do we have in place to educate our children and to prepare them with the relevant and effective awareness (call it immunity if you so will), so to help them stay free from the slavery of porn and pornography? That was the personal and emotional encounter I had during and after writing the article.
Additionally, from the reaction of those who read the article, I’ve observed, that within 24 hours of publishing it, Facebook insights showed that it had reached more than 30,000 Facebookers, and it was shared more than 130 times. WordPress stats indicated more than 2,500 hits on the article within five hours. All this did not include sharing that were done separately (outside my Facebook page).
You would agree with me that people are into pornography, simply because it's related to sex. Who is that matured (with full human functionality) who doesn't like sex? But despite my article being a lengthy piece (as usual J), they took the trouble to read it, and share it with their loved ones.
These figures indicate to me two things: (1) people (Muslims in particular) are into pornography, and this was expected, although alarming; and (2) as much as some are caught in it (the trap of pornography) they are searching for means to be cured from this cancer.
It’s these reflections that motivated me to think of solutions that can help (anyone who is) my troubled Muslim brethren to quit watching what they'd agreed that it ruins their happiness and the nobility Allah has bestowed upon the children of Adam.
I find it important to mention here, that the following solutions I’m presenting in this article, to help you quit watching pornography are inter-correlated. The first leads to the second. The second leads to the next, and so on. In other words, solution #2 strengthens solution #3, and the latter is supported by solution #4, and so on. Therefore, the more one is addicted to porn, the more of these solutions he would need to implement in order to be able to effectively quit pornography, once and for ever. So, let's start with the ways to quit watching pornography for good.
#1: Decide to Quit Pornography
The first step of any significant endeavour starts with a genuine decision to undertake it. This step can't be taken on your behalf for you. It's only you who can make it. And it’s only you who can let people know of it. Letting them know doesn’t require you to tell them. They will see that through the changes they’ll observe in you later on, inshā Allah.
The decision to quit requires an honest intention taken and contracted between yourself and you. It also requires an action taken to demonstrate and translate that decision. For instance, when one decides to quit watching pornography, then, the expectation will be that he won't search for porn materials, neither online nor offline. This means, when he turns to it, then he has nullified his intention to quit. And when he coincides with it (accidentally), he turns away and gives it his back.
The decision to quit also requires that one perceives it as something he ‘must take an action against', not something he ‘should take an action against'. Failure to do what we “should” do or abstain from may not carry any negative implications. But failure to do what we “must” do or abstain from doing carries some negative implications, and, sometimes, very painful ones.
Once you have decided to quit pornography, its’ time to take that decision to a higher level. That level is to tell Allah of your decision. How do you do that? That’s what’s discussed it in the next section.
#2: Tell Allah You've Decided to Quit Pornography, and Be Honest
Telling Allah of your decision to quit pornography helps you start a new chapter with Him.
Allah knows all we do, no doubt. However, when we decide to seriously engage in works that invite His pleasure, we need to confess and admit to our wrong doings before Him. This confession supports us to seek His guidance, and hence, to repent, seek forgiveness and show steadfastness in our future records.
Confession is not to free one’ self from the sense of guilt, and then consider the sinful acts as norms and acceptable. Confession is to acknowledge to Allah His Highness, and our need for Him.
By confessing to Allah and seeking guidance and repentance from Him, we're starting a new chapter with Him. We want our new chapter to be full of inspirations, and productivity in a way that will entitle us to His closeness, and ultimate pleasure.
Therefore, we are expected to do what includes: reading the Qur'an, making lots and lots of du'a, spending time in the remembrance of Allah (dhikr), and befriending people you perceive as pious. I have to say ‘people you perceive' because our perception may not always match the truth and reality of a given person or thing. But with good intention, when we perceive righteousness for someone, and for that we intend to approach him for a noble and righteous purpose, should he not be as such or the suitable for our problem, Allah will direct us to a truly pious person or group, instead of the intended person. This is why you need to be honest when you decide to quit pornography, and have decided to tell Allah about it.
How to Tell Allah?
You can tell Allah in your du‘a, using either Arabic language or the language you’re most comfortable with. I suggest that you use your language of comfort and convenience. How would you convincingly seek pardon from someone you’ve wronged, using your native language? Do it the same way but with more humility, respect and honesty. It could be after performing two rak’ahs of prayers. It could be immediately after any obligatory prayer. It could be after reciting the Qur’an. It could also be unattached to any specific ritual. Just tell Allah of your intention and decision.
Once you’ve told Allah of your decision, it’s time to take it to another step further. This time, it’s going to be more challenging and you could imagine Satan has alerted all his troops, forces and gangs, to do all they could, to not let you go! It’s time to quit pornography! So make sure you quit pornography once and for all!
#3: Quit Pornography… and Make It Once and for All
Quit Pornography… Once and for All!
You've decided to quit pornography. Right? You've also told Allah of your intention to migrate from pornography lifestyle to a meaningful, happy and productive lifestyle. Right? Then, you need to take a deep breath and press on the ‘Quit Pornography' button on you heart. If you can’t find the ‘Quit Pornography’ button, activate your ‘I Quit Pornography!’ voice in your mind. And there you go!
Please note that this is between Allah, yourself and you. You don’t have to tell the world about the previous you, the present you and the difference between them. There’s nothing the world (people) can do to reward you. Anyone who cares for you, i.e., your parents, children, good friends (and good friends are close friends. But close friends are not necessarily good friends) will automatically see the change in you. Those who want to learn and change too, will see the inspirations in you and be inspired. But do not reveal your sinful past just to tell stories, as that’s is against the teachings of The Prophet Muḥammad, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
Committing any form of sin is shameful. You wouldn’t want to be seen doing it. Would you? Why then, would you come to reveal it after Allah has covered it for you? Don’t make your sinful past public, or else Allah will publicize it for you, on the day of judgement. When Allah has covered it for you, it’s possibly, to give you the chance to repent, and so He will never reveal it in the Hereafter. If you, yourself, reveal it here, how would you expect it to be concealed there?
One important thing you should remember at all times is, your quit must align with the intention and decision you made in step one. It should also align with the statement you've made before Allah. Nullifying one voids the other two.
Now, you’ve made the most important decisions (3 steps so far) in your life. If you remain true to it, with it, you’ll be able to give up any other bad habit you really want to quit for Allah’s sake, inshā Allah. The next few steps are necessary to grant you security and the immunity you need to fight future temptations.
#4: Dissociate Yourself from Pornography
To quit pornography, you review the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the reading materials you possess and the people you friend.
By now, I’m convinced you’ve already quitted pornography for good. Haven’t you? Good job! Now that you’ve quitted pornography, it’s just the best time to dissociate yourself from anything related to pornography.
Were you dragged in to it by a friend? Talk to him, then. If he refuses to join you to quit pornography, abandon him (for the sake of Allah; if you can’t bring him along to Jannah, don’t join him in Jahannam). Were you influenced by a website? Then, stop visiting it, even if it happens to be your only source of news updates, i.e. Aljazeera, BBC, CNN, and the likes.
In other words, you can’t quit pornography effectively, at least with consistency, until you’ve distanced yourself from anything that leads to, or encourages pornography. I suggest that you review four things in your life: the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the reading materials you obtain and the friends you make.
Make sure you watch a movie when only you’ve known it’s worthwhile for your precious time. Replace your music with Qur’an, for they can’t coexist in one heart. Read books that will help you mature (you’ll naturally grow, but growth doesn’t mean maturity), instead of reading ghost stories and love novels. Make friends with him, who will remind you of Allah. If a friend can’t talk to you about Allah, who else will talk to you about Allah?
In the secular world, parents and educators would agree that most movies, music, and reading materials, including adverts provide free access to what they term as ‘soft porn.’ Everyone, thereafter, will tell you that all of the above could also produce or lead to real porn. However ‘soft porn’ is normal and thus, socially acceptable. Who’s not engaged in it, by the way?
But in the Islam, ‘soft porn’ and ‘real porn’ are both porn, and one should abstain from them, both. He should also abstain from friends who promote pornography to him, encourage him to it, or sell it to him. If his work place encourages him to be engaged in pornography, the Muslim should change his work place. If his environment encourages him to involve in pornography, the Muslim should change his environment.
In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim, from the narration of Sayyidinā Abī Sa‘īd al-Khudrī, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“There was a man from among a nation before you who killed 99 people and then asked about the most learned person on the earth. He was directed to a monk. He came to him and told him that he had killed 99 people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and the man killed him also, completing 100.
He then asked about the most learned man on the earth. He was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed 100 people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. The scholar gave him a positive reply and asked, ‘Who stands between you and repentance? Go to such and such land; there (you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place.’
So he went away and hardly had he covered half the distance when death overtook him; and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of torment. The angels of mercy pleaded, ‘This man has come with a repenting heart to Allah,’ and the angels of punishment argued, ‘He never did a virtuous deed in his life.’ Then there appeared another angel in the form of a human being and the contending angels agreed to make him arbiter between them. He said, ‘Measure the distance between the two lands. He will be considered belonging to the land to which he is nearer.’ They measured and found him closer to the land (land of piety) where he intended to go, and so the angels of mercy collected his soul.”
The above ḥadīth teaches us the significance and the power of repentance. It further teaches us the importance of seeking beneficial knowledge. But it also indicates to us the need for the one who needs to repent to change his environment, by dissociating himself from an evil environment and connecting with a righteous one. Dissociating from an evil environment keeps you away from joining sinful acts. Associating yourself with a righteous environment motivates and inspires you to act like the righteous people of the righteous society.
When you can’t change or move to a righteous environment, you should ensure to transform your household into a righteous one. By upholding the correct belief, instilling strong morals and values in one self and inculcating them in your family members and friends.
You’ve taken the right measures so far, to the best extent of human capacity. It’s time to go spiritual and seek divine guidance and facilitation from Allah. It starts with Qiyāmullayl.
#5: Do Some Qiyamullayl, and Be Consistent in It
Qiyamullayl is a powerful act of worship that can help you to quit pornography
Alhamdulillah… You've made a very tough decision by quitting pornography. And you've practically quitted. On top of that you've dissociated yourself from anything that is related or leads to pornography. You're the man! Oops! If you’re woman, then… You’re the woman! J
Now, you need to embark on a new lifestyle that will secure you perseverance and steadfastness in abstaining from pornography (and other evil deeds). The first of these, in my humble opinion is Qiyāmullayl. This is because quitting pornography is a pursuit to righteousness. And Qiyāmullayl is one of the activities one can engage himself with to attain righteousness the easiest way. Of course, this is with the assumption that one has already repented and sought forgiveness from Allah pertaining to his past history with pornography. The assumption is also that one is punctual in his obligatory prayers.
The Prophet once said about ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā, that “he's a righteous person, only if does Qiyāmullayl.”
Let this inspire you, to start doing Qiyāmullayl, and it will earn you righteousness. It will earn you purity. It will earn you happiness and excitement. It will earn you satisfaction. It will keep you away, far from pornography.
Practically, Qiyāmullayl keeps you awake during the daytime, and makes you conscious of righteousness. It then makes you productive. You may feel sleepy sometimes, but you'll certainly be productive, nonetheless.
In order to be able to wake up for Qiyāmullayl, one needs to:
- Ensure his source of income is ḥalāl!
- Have a light dinner (or supper if he takes supper)
- Intend to do Qiyāmullayl before going to bed
- Take wuḍū' before sleeping
- Recite Ayatul Kursi and the 3 Quls before sleeping
- Make sure he sleeps early; and
- Look forward to wake up at any time after midnight
After meeting these ‘simple’ requirements, you shall wake up for Qiyāmullayl, even without the help of an alarm clock, inshā Allāh. You can also do your Qiyāmullayl before going to bed. Just make sure offering Qiyāmullayl doesn’t deter you from offering your Fajr prayers on time.
The only way you can testify the effectiveness of Qiyāmullayl is by trying it yourself. Feel it for yourself. Then make a genuine opinion about it by yourself. Whatever you read regarding it (here and elsewhere) remains theoretical, and can never give you the exact extent and taste of its effects and impact.
To learn more on how Qiyamullayl is done, please read my article: The Significance, Effects and Guidelines for Qiyamullail.. You may also read, Qiyamullail, Its Enhancers, Etiquettes and Stories.
Qiyāmullayl is a night prayer. It keeps you awake (at night) for good, when the world is asleep. During daytime, we don’t do Qiyamullayl. Instead, We fast. So…
#6: Consider Fasting Voluntary Fasts
Fasting weakens the evil desires in the son of Adam
During daytime, outside Ramadan, the whole world eats. Some Muslims (who want to be more committed) fast. In addition to being an act of worship, fasting weakens the evil in you, son of Adam. It further grants you discipline and consistency. Additionally it sparks God-fearing in you. Not only that you feel for the less fortunate and the weak and become merciful, you realize your own weakness and state of mortality, which was first created from a scope of clay. You realize that, no matter how strong, powerful, influential you can be, hunger is superior over you. It has authority over you. And it can control (discipline) you. Allah created both hunger and you. Fact.
Fasting voluntarily outside Ramaḍān is learnt from the Sunnah of the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. It includes, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, fasting on the 13th, 14th and 15th of every lunar month, fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’, fasting on the day of ‘Arafah. There are also other voluntary fasting. You may want to ask your local Imām about them.
Also, if the Devils are chained during Ramadan because it’s Ramadan and because most Muslims fast, our individual Devils are weakened (if not chained), when we fast outside Ramaḍān. Give it a try.
This being said, if fasting will weaken you and make you less productive, and that will displease your employer, please consider not fasting, since you’re paid for the job you do. And that’s an Amānah! But if you’re your own boss, then by all means, you have the right to fast, even if it affects your physical productivity.
Besides fasting during the daytime of some days, even if one chooses not to fast, we are encouraged to observe voluntary prayers (nawāfil/rawātib).
#7: Engage in More Voluntary Prayers
Committing yourself to voluntary prayers ensures you perfect the obligatory ones… Tested and proven
In order to achieve this more effectively, you need to take your relationship with the mosque to a whole new level. One obvious thing is, make it a point to perform your obligatory prayers in the mosque as much as possible. Praying in the mosque means you prepare for it in advance. That gives you peace of mind to pray with focus, tranquility and to offer additional. Preparing for it in advance enables you to perform the voluntary prayers that fall before the given obligatory prayer of the time. This also calms you down, and ensures you perform the obligatory prayers with less distraction in mind. This is true because you leave everything behind. You’ve also calmed down from the immediate activity you were engaged in, before going to the mosque.
If your situation doesn’t allow you to pray in the mosque frequently, you can ensure you prepare for your prayer five minutes before its time kicks in. With this, you’re able to offer voluntary prayers where applicable. This is also true for women.
In addition to that, committing to voluntary prayers will mean that you’re already comfortable with your obligatory prayers, and you seldom miss them. Scholars have observed that, when one is committed to his voluntary prayers, his obligatory prayers are likely in good form and perfection. But when his voluntary prayers receive less attention from him, then his obligatory prayers are likely imperfect. Frequent mosque goers only miss their prayers at the mosque when they're caught with unexpected errands. If you find it difficult to pray, check out my article, Why Do I find it Difficult to Pray? for possible answers and solutions. You may also want to check out How to Focus and Attain Khushū' in Solat for helpful tips to focus in prayers.
How to be Consistent in Voluntary Prayers?
Plan to offer your voluntary prayers the moment you wake up in the morning. This is, if you don’t plan your day a night ahead. Once you do that, Allah will facilitate it for you, in a way or another. If you don’t plan it, don’t be disappointed when it’s not facilitated. Once you’re committed to voluntary prayers, you don’t need reminder pertaining to the obligatory ones, inshā Allah.
Qiyāmullayl, fasting, praying, are all activities, that strengthen your bond with Allah, but not necessarily with your fellow human beings. The good relationship you have with Allah should be seen in your interaction with people. As we’ve learnt that porn dissociates you from the people, we need to come back to the people. This time, we need to be more beneficial to them. How? This is what is discussed in the next section.
#8: Engage Yourself in Productive Activities
When I indicate “productive activities” here, I really mean nothing but “productive activities.” Engagement with pornography is an activity. But is it meaningful and productive? No. It's not. Thus, there are other activities, which could be equally destructive and degrading as pornography. The point is, don't quit pornography just to end up tied with a sister evil deed to pornography.
What are the Examples of Productive Things You Can Start with?
Being productive gives boosts your confidence and gives satisfaction
Start with what you're supposed and expected to do and take it seriously at heart. For all you know, reading this very article is a productive activity. What do you think? 🙂 In other words, spend some of your time to learn about your religion. Learn about good and bad (halal and haram) in Islam. That's the only way you'll know your Lord better, know your purpose of existence and then appreciate yourself as a Muslim.
Another thing you can do to be a productive individual is to care for your family. Entertain your parents. Do all you can to see them smile and bless you. Once they bless (happy with) you, you become a truly blessed (by Allah). Cheer up your co-workers. If you're employed, start thinking of going the extra mile with your key performance indicator (KPI). This is not for promotion, though. It’s for whom you are; Muslim. Allah’s reward is the best and fairer. So, discrimination at workplace shouldn’t cause you to work less productive.
Also, you can join the committee of volunteers in your local mosque, organization, community service centre or others. These are some of the venues through which you can make difference.
Eight solutions are down. You’re now occupied enough. I know. You don’t even have enough time to respond to phone calls anymore. Right? How then, would you have time to visit porn sites? You can’t. You reach home exhausted. Go and sleep. Sleep early. For you need to wake up (early) for Qiyāmullayl.
One of the most productive activities you should take seriously is schedule a regular exercise to de-stress, and burn out the flames of the accumulated fat, anxiety and boredom in the body. This will grant a good sleep at night, and prepare you for a smooth wake up, inshā Allah. With a good sleep, Qiyāmullayl is likely more exciting.
You’ve already started enjoying the excitement of quitting pornography. But the excitement completes with one more thing. That’s dhikr.
#9: Moisten Your Tongue with Dhikr
Dhikr keeps you closer to Allah, grants you tranquility, and lifts your morale.
By right, every single deed of the Muslim is linked to dhikr. I’m sure you’re aware of this. We make dhikr when we first open our eyes from sleep (supposedly). We make dhikr when we are about to rest and also wash ourselves (entering the restroom), and we do dhikr when we are done. We also make dhikr when eating, drinking, and going in and out of the house. Our whole prayer (ṣalāh) is full of dhikr. The Muslim’s life is dhikr, and that qualifies him to fulfil the purpose of his existence on the earth.
“I created the jinn and humans for nothing else but that they may worship Me” (Qur’an, 51:56).
“The seven heavens and the earth and all who dwell therein glorify Him. There is not a single thing but glorifies Him with His praise; but you do not understand their glorification. Truly, He is forbearing and most forgiving” (Qur’an, 17:44).
Despite that, and in addition to all that, we’re enjoined to make dhikr more often. This is because dhikr is power for the soul! Dhikr is vitamin for the soul! You may disagree. But in my humble observation, engaging in 5 times daily prayers does not guarantee you do dhikr very often. But doing dhikr very often guarantees you’re engaged in 5 times daily prayers. This is evidenced by the verse of Sūrah al-‘Ankabūt, 45:
“(O Prophet), recite the Book that has been revealed to you and establish Prayer. Surely Prayer forbids indecency and evil. And Allah's remembrance is of even greater merit. Allah knows all that you do.”
Again, despite that, and in addition to all that, we’re enjoined to remember Allah very often.
“Believers, remember Allah very often. And remember Him morning and evening” (Qur’an, 33:41-42).
Some Simple but Powerful forms of Dhikr
Some forms of remembrance (dhikr) which you and I can moisten our tongues (and soften our hearts) with are the following:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
Astaghfirullāh
“I seek forgiveness from Allah.”سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ.. سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ العَظِيمِ
SubḥānAllāhi wa biḥamdih… SubḥānAllāh al-Adhīm
“High, glorified and praised is Allah… High and glorified is Allah, the Great.”لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ
Lā ḥaula wa lā quwwata illā billāh
“[We have] no ability nor power, except with Allah.”حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الوَكِيلُ
Ḥasbunā Allāhu wa ni‘ma al-wakīl
“Allah is sufficient for us. And the best trustee is He.”لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ
Lā ilāha illā Allāh
“No god [deserves to be worshiped] but Allah.”اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى [سَيِّدِنَا] مُحَمَّدٍ
Allāhumma ṣalli ‘alā [Sayyidinā] Muḥammad
“Oh Allah… Send praises and blessings upon [our Master] Muhammad.”رَبِّ اغْفِرْلِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيراً
Rabbi ighfir lī wa liwālidayya, wa irḥamhumā kamā rabbayānī ṣaghīran
“My Lord… Forgive me and my parents, as they raise me up from childhood.”اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّـي أَسْأَلُكَ الـهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالعَفَافَ وَالغِنَـى
Allāhumma innī as’aluka al-hudā wa al-tuqā wa al-‘afāf wa al-ghinā
“O Allah, I seek from You guidance, piety, chastity and wealth.”
That was solution #9 of 10. They are helpful to most people (if not all). However, if they didn’t work for you, then please read the following, solution #10; seek professional help.
#10: Seek Professional Help, if All the Above Fails
Seek help when the need be.
Pornography addiction has different levels of harm it casts on its victims. Some may be addicted, but are able to go to work and perform, despite some distraction. Others may be addicted, so much so, that it renders them disabled, inactive; not only in bed, but at workplace too. They refuse to interact. They are unable to work. Hence, they have to lose their jobs or drop out of school and develop problems close to psychological.
My strong belief is that, the 9 solutions mentioned above can help you to quit pornography privately, without involving anyone, other than Allah. But if you try them out, and still find weakness in you regarding pornography, or you think you need to talk to a specialist (qualified and professional counsellor), please do so by all means. But ensure that the specialist you consult is a Muslim. Only Muslim specialist can understand and provide you with holistic and righteous guidance. Therefore, even when consulting a Muslim specialist, search for whom is believed to be righteous.
Further discussions related to this section will take place between you and the specialist, inshā Allah.
Conclusion
The solutions outlined in this humble piece are subjective. There may be others that could work more effectively for you and for others. However, even if what’s been highlighted here didn’t help you to quit pornography, it will remain helpful for us in getting closer to Allah, and remaining meaningful and helpful in the lives of others.
When you quit pornography, you purify your spiritual system, as you are able to worship Allah in a better way and a more sincere state. You then reclaim yourself from the instigations of evil desires. You return to Allah in submission, obedience and service (‘ibādah).
When you quit pornography, you return to live the natural life, which serves as means to the final destination, where the eternal abode of bliss awaits the righteous you. You become useful to your community, your society, your country, and to mankind.
I congratulate you for this real and noble success. Quitting pornography is one of the greatest victory you would ever achieve in your life, as pornography is one of the main obstacles lying on your way to any success. I pray that Allah keeps you on the right and righteous path, until you meet Him as a true and pure Muslim. Amin!
If you find this article beneficial, please consider sharing it with your loved ones and #Share_the_Khair. Who knows; your sharing may be just one step away from saving another Muslim brethren. To receive updates from GSalam.Net delivered right to your inbox, click here.
Until our next article, I leave you in Allah’s protection.
Allah knows best.
Allāhu Hāfiz 🙂
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