The habit of pornography and masturbation is difficult to break, but it is necessary because it weakens masculinity, self-control, and future relationships. The first step is to deeply understand why these habits are harmful—both spiritually and physically. Guilt alone is often not enough to stop, as the urge returns once guilt fades.
How to Quit Pornography
- Block Access: Remove all ways to access porn. Install filters, delete files, and avoid being alone with devices.
- Change Your Environment: Keep your door open or position your screen so others can see it. Avoid privacy that encourages watching porn.
- Take Immediate Action After a Relapse: Set consequences like running 10 km, taking a freezing shower, or doing extra worship to reset your mindset.
- Stay Committed: The key to quitting is determination. You are fighting for your dignity, self-control, and success in both this world and the next.
May Allah help you succeed.
Islamic View on Masturbation
Asalamu Alaykum,
According to Islamic teachings, masturbation is a sin and is compared to zina (fornication) with oneself. We have an example from Imam Ali (AS), where he punished a man caught masturbating by beating his hands until they turned red and then arranging his marriage at government expense.
📖 Reference: (Wasa’il, vol. 14, p. 267; vol. 18, pp. 574-5)
Some non-Muslim doctors claim masturbation is “healthy,” but such advice contradicts divine wisdom and should not be followed.
Harms of Masturbation
Masturbation is often linked with pornography and can become a dangerous addiction, affecting both the body and mind.
Medical Harms (as per doctors’ observations):
- Weak Eyesight: Many young men addicted to masturbation have weak eyes, blurry vision, and headaches.
- Loss of Strength: The body becomes weak, resulting in fatigue, back pain, and dizziness.
- Mental Health Issues: Depression, loneliness, anxiety, and low self-esteem are common.
- Weakened Immune System: The body becomes less resistant to diseases.
- Sexual Health Problems: Some people experience problems in marriage due to past habits.
A 23-year-old man who had been addicted since 15 suffered from weak vision, dizziness, and loss of sharp thinking. Another person continued this habit even during illness and passed away at a young age.
Breaking Free from Masturbation
The biggest challenge is that masturbation is difficult to control once it becomes a habit. It does not need special conditions, making it easy to continue. However, it is never too late to stop. The most important step is making a strong decision and following a structured approach to quitting.
Steps to Stop Masturbation:
- Avoid Triggers: Stay away from any environment that tempts you.
- Stay Busy: Engage in sports, hobbies, and religious activities.
- Increase Spirituality: Read Qur’an, pray regularly, and seek Allah’s help.
- Find a Support System: Speak to someone you trust for guidance.
- Get Married (if possible): Marriage is the natural and halal way to fulfill desires.
A Common Mistake
Some modern doctors say masturbation is harmless, but this is false. They ignore the fact that it leads to addiction, weakens willpower, and ruins mental and physical health. Just like drugs, it starts small but becomes a life-destroying habit.
Here’s a simplified, easy-to-understand version of your text that covers all the important ideas without making it shorter:
Important Instructions to Overcome This Bad Habit
Now that you have made your final decision to stop, follow these instructions carefully.
1. Understand the Harm
Bad sexual habits, especially masturbation, can become an addiction very quickly. Some people struggle so much that they experience sexual release just from imagination without any physical action.
A bigger danger is losing hope. If you feel hopeless, it will be much harder to quit. But you must remember—you can overcome this habit. It might take some time, but the effects will go away. Never think that this problem will stay forever.
If you fail, don’t give up. Even if you break your promise ten times, make a new one with even stronger determination. Over time, your mind will learn, and quitting will become easier.
Also, having a strong connection with God will help you succeed. When you pray and trust in His mercy, He will help you.
2. Avoid All Triggers
Many things around us create artificial stimulation that leads to sexual thoughts. These include:
- Watching pornographic movies or scenes on TV
- Reading romantic and sexual books
- Looking at inappropriate pictures
- Staring at people in a lustful way
If you keep exposing yourself to these things, it will be very difficult to control your mind. You will always feel restless, nervous, and anxious.
To protect yourself, you must strictly avoid these things.
Instead, find healthy hobbies to keep yourself busy, such as:
- Sports and exercise
- Walking or gardening
- Reading useful books
- Handicrafts or collecting things like poems or stamps
- Attending educational or religious gatherings
3. Keep Yourself Busy
Having free time is very dangerous. If you don’t have anything to do, your mind will wander back to bad thoughts.
Make a full-day schedule for yourself. Even your free time should have planned activities. You don’t have to work or study all day, but plan everything, including:
- Study time
- Work time
- Recreation and fun
- Exercise and outdoor activities
If your schedule is packed, your mind won’t have time to think about bad things.
For example, people who smoke tend to smoke more when they are free. But when they are busy with work, they smoke less. The same applies here—keep your mind busy with positive things.
4. Do Sports and Physical Activities
It is well known that people who play sports have lower sexual urges. This is because their body uses most of its energy in exercise, leaving less energy for sexual thoughts.
People who suffer from this addiction usually become lazy, unsocial, and weak. If they start physical activities, they will feel much better.
Sports also strengthen the nervous system, which helps in quitting bad habits.
Try to spend as much free time as possible in:
- Running, walking, or hiking
- Team sports (football, cricket, basketball, etc.)
- Cycling or swimming
Exercise so much that you become tired. Then, you will sleep deeply at night without disturbing thoughts.
5. Replace Bad Habits with Good Ones
Psychologists say: The best way to quit a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit.
For example, gamblers cannot stop gambling unless they replace it with another activity, like playing chess or a sport.
Similarly, those suffering from sexual addiction should engage in an alternative activity the moment they feel the urge.
Some ideas:
- Read an interesting book
- Do sports or a physical activity
- Go out for a walk
- Engage in a scientific or intellectual discussion
Whenever you feel tempted, quickly switch to a productive activity!
6. Never Stay Alone
Being alone is one of the biggest causes of this habit.
- Never sit alone in your room
- Never sleep alone
- Do not isolate yourself while studying
- If you are alone in a place, leave immediately
The moment you feel the urge, get up and start doing something else. Ignoring this advice can lead to regret.
Remember, loneliness feeds the addiction. Avoid it at all costs.
7. Marry as Soon as Possible
Marriage is one of the best solutions to control sexual urges.
Even if full marriage is not possible, getting engaged with a proper Islamic contract can be helpful.
Some people fear that they won’t be able to control their urges even after marriage. But if they follow these steps, they can recover fully and have a happy married life.
8. Use Positive Affirmations
Your thoughts control your actions. If you keep thinking, “I can’t quit,” it will become true.
Instead, train your mind with positive thoughts:
- Say to yourself daily: “I can quit this habit completely.”
- Sit in a quiet place and repeat: “I can do this. I will succeed.”
This is called self-suggestion, and it is very powerful. Many people have overcome bad habits using this method.
Also, reading books on self-discipline can help strengthen your willpower.
9. Stay Away from Bad Friends
Bad friends make this habit worse. People who have this problem often try to convince others to do the same so they don’t feel guilty.
Do not listen to them. Stay away from such people as if they have a dangerous disease.
Instead, spend time with positive, religious, and motivated people.
10. Eat Healthy and Take Care of Your Body
A good diet can strengthen the nervous system and help in quitting bad habits.
- Avoid spicy, junk, and unhealthy food
- Eat nutritious meals that give long-lasting energy
- Drink plenty of water
- Take cold showers if needed, as they help reduce urges
Keeping your body healthy and strong will help keep your mind pure and clean.
Final Words
Quitting this habit is possible. Many people have done it, and so can you. Even if you fail sometimes, never give up. Keep trying, and one day, you will win completely.
Trust in God, stay busy, avoid loneliness, and always keep hope alive!
