It's hard being a teenager and trying to resist the images you're bombarded with daily: the hot-looking guy or gal in the magazine; the sexual jokes in movies (even Shrek!) or the pervasive pornography and ad banners that pop up while you may simply be checking your e-mail or researching something for school. How do we protect ourselves from all of this? Below is a list of tips that can help. You can add in comments what works for you:
Tip #1: Know what's Halal and what's not
Remember this rule of thumb: whatever is Haram (forbidden) to do, is Haram to watch.
All scholars of Islam agree that pornography is absolutely Haram and a clear sin.
Some may think, however, that only hard-core pornography is Islamically unacceptable. This is not true. Watching improperly dressed men and women in sexual situations, as well as engaged in various types of foreplay and dirty jokes are also not acceptable.
If you need a more detailed argument against it, read our article based on the Quran and Hadith.
Tip #2: Surf the Web or Watch T.V. When Others are Around
The living room or study room are better places to keep the computer since others are nearby and can see what you're looking at. The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures or that bikini-clad babe is heightened when you're alone in your room watching television or surfing the internet. Try to avoid late night TV and surfing. Instead, check out the tube or the web when others are around so you can resist the urge to sneak a peek, thinking no one's watching.
It is a good idea not to have a TV or computer in the bedroom anyway.
Tip #3: Remember Allah is Watching You
If no one is watching, Allah is watching you. He is always there. He is Al Baseer, All Knowing and All Aware. He is the One Who has given us life. He is the One Who has told us right from wrong and given us a choice. He loves to see us successful in our test to bless us with the Everlasting life. He does not rest or sleep. He loves to see us do good and has promised rewards for it.
Tip #4: If It Happens, Seek Forgiveness & Don't Insist on doing it
"?[Good people are those who] when they have committed a shameful deed (fuhsha) or have harmed themselves, remember God and pray that their sins be forgiven-for who but God could forgive sins?-and do not knowingly persist in doing whatever wrong they may have done." (Quran 3:135).
Allah loves to see us asking for His forgiveness.
Tip #5: Just get up and leave
If you feel unable to control looking at the screen or the magazine, leave the situation. Get out of the living room, your bedroom where the internet is or where you've been reading the magazine. Take a walk. Just do something to physically get out of the situation.
Tip #6: Remember the Day of Judgment
You cannot assume looking at this stuff is no big deal. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment. God is Most Just and Merciful, and He rewards us for the good and holds us responsible for the bad we do. His angels are around you who love to note down each good dead and hate to watch you do shameful things which they still must report. Every tiny act we do is noted down. May Allah make our accounting on the Day of Judgment easy.
Tip #7: Connect With Your Salat
If you are not praying, start now. Salat actively discourages pornography and fornication (fuhsha). Here is what Allah says about it: "? and be constant in prayer: for, behold, prayer restrains man from loathsome deeds and from all that runs counter to decency; and remembrance of God is indeed the greatest [good]. And God knows all that you do." (Quran 29:45)
If you are not satisfied with the quality of your prostration in prayer, work on it. If Salat is not helping you, work on uplifting your salat. ..Innas salata tanha anil fahsha wal munkar..
Tip #8: Learn About Haya in Islam
Haya is a beautiful concept in Islam. Sometimes translated as modesty or shame, there is no one word in English that fully describes what it means. It is a quality in character that makes a believer shine. Satan does not want you to have it. Pornography destroys Haya. Here's an article which helps explain this concept of Haya in Islam.
Tip #9: Avoid those involved in pornography
If one of your friends is into pornographic magazines, websites, dirty jokes etc. either help him/her change through gentle and sincere advice (see etiquettes of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil) or abandon frequent contact with them. Their addiction might affect you, so it's best to stay as far away as possible, by remembering the danger to yourself and your relationship with God.
Tip #10: Avoid things that lead to sin
Too often, it's easy to dismiss that billboard with the spandex-and-bikini-top-clad blonde girl advertising gum, or the guy in tight leather pants and no shirt advertising perfume. When you see it, remember the omnipresent God, and lower your gaze. Do the same for television and the internet. If you keep doing this, it'll become a habit to avoid looking at these things.
Remember God is kind. An unintentional look is not Haram if you turn away as soon as you realize it.
Tip #11: Develop a More Productive Schedule
Learn to manage your time more productively. Develop a personal plan for yourself. If you don't occupy your mind with good works, Satan will think of something bad for you. Think of wal Asr, Innal insane lafi khusr.. (Quran 103)
Tip #12: Are You Involved?
Surround yourself with spiritual influences. Join a study circle, volunteer for a good cause, become active in a Muslim youth group like MYNA or your Muslim Students' Association. Good company is likely to have good influence on you. The involvement will also make good use of your time, sparing little for Satan.
Tip #13: Feeling overwhelmed? Remember Allah
In situations where you feel overwhelmed and can't get yourself to switch the channel, close the browser window or turn your eyes away from the billboard, ask Allah's help. You don't necessarily need any heavy duty, long prayers. Just say La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (there is neither power nor strength except with God). It is short, simple and reminds you of Who is really in control and can help you out of this. Or if you cannot remember this, just move away saying Allah, Allah. Or bring any popular song about Allah to your lips.
Tip #14: Less TV is better
Although actors in a TV program may be "dressed," if the show is about playing sexual games in public, is it worth watching? Less TV is always better. One of my American friends calls it the 19-inch Satan in our living rooms. She would rather not have it at all. A few broadcast channels are better than cable or satellite. Watching together as family is better than watching alone. Choosing through a TV guide what to watch is better than channel surfing.
Tip #15: Satan is the Enemy: Seek refuge in God
Satan lured you into this mess. He is the big part of our tests in this life. Seeking refuge in Allah (saying Aoutho billahi minash Shaytan ir Rajeem), will help you resist him and his whisperings to continue looking at the material.
Tip #16: Remember others will Follow You
If you have younger brothers and sisters, think of the bad example you're setting for them. What message are you sending them if they barge into your room and catch you watching Temptation Island or flipping through Playboy magazine?
Tip #17: Look for alternative entertainment
Playing sports is better for your health than watching. We have become way too dependent on electronic entertainment. It is unhealthy and leading our nation to obesity and health problems. Let's stop being couch potatoes. Let's build our bodies through sports and outdoor activities.
Tip #18: Surround yourself with the Quran
Make the Quran a part of your bedroom decor. Put paintings of your personal selection of these beautiful verses from God. Maybe commission a calligrapher to scribe your favorite verses in Arabic and English. I had one drawn with pencil and it sits in front of my desk. One of my daughters asked me to write one for her and she hung it up in front of her laptop.
How many copies and translations of the Quran do you own? Buy more. Become a collector.
If you are into listening the Quran on audio, keep changing your reciter of the Quran. It breaks the monotony and brings focus back to the words of God.
Tip #19: Remember your Mom and sister
Disgusting right? Exactly. No one in his right mind would look at his mom or sister the way pornographic magazines and websites depict women. Remember your mom and your sister, and that may help you stop.
Tip #20: Have someone watch over you
If you really feel you're becoming addicted to this kind of material, try to watch TV, surf the internet with someone else. You don't have to tell them why you're doing this, but this method can perhaps keep you in check and help you avoid looking at pornography or other similar material. After all, Satan tempts us most easily when we're alone. Sitting in the company of a family member or trusted friend will help.
Tip #21: Fasting helps
The Prophet Muhammad advised us to fast to cool passions. This should be a method we use to handle the desire aroused by pornography and similar material. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet.
Tip #22: Life is full of tests
We human beings are weak people. We sometimes make mistakes. We are not perfect. When you fail, don't despair. You can get away from sin by defeating a Satanic suggestion the next time around. Sometimes we don't mean to watch but end up doing it anyway. But as soon as a thought comes to your mind that you are doing wrong, stop right there. If you persist, that will be become a sin which you have chosen intentionally.
Don't feel guilty if you did not plan to watch it. Sometimes the web and email technology force this filth on you. Just move away as fast as you can.
Tip #23: Get Married
Yes. You heard me right. Get married. The real thing is better than the fakeness of pornography which destroys you mentally, physically, and spiritually. In Muslim families, we see many younger people getting married while they are still in school. Texas law allows persons as young as 13 to get married with parental consent and a judge's order. Other states require at least 16 years of age for a marriage license. Talk to your parents. I am personally against very young people marrying, but it is certainly better than them having sinful relationships with each other or with the fictional characters brought to them through the web, magazines and films. There is no shame in talking to your parents and Imams about it. Make a decision with Shura if you want to get married early.
Marriage helps you overcome the destructive directions of a blessing of God called sex.
Tip #24: Use technology to help
There are many filters and spam stopping technologies which are available through different internet providers as well as for your email client. Use technology to close doors for pornography, a heinous crime against humanity.
Tip #25: It is not a Sin if you did not mean it
Sometimes we are just surfing the internet and something else pops up. It may show up in emails despite all the filters. As long as you did not mean to watch and move away immediately it is not a sin. Thank God, Alhamdu lillah. He does not hold us accountable for unintentional things.
Tip #26: Do Tauba, Repent and Return to Allah
He loves to see us come back. If you do end up watching the bad stuff, repent to Allah. Seek His forgiveness, reaffirm your faith in Him, and do good deeds to compensate for what you've done. He is All-Forgiving as long as you are sincere.
Tip #27: Repent Again and Fine Yourself
If you lapse, repent again. God is All-Forgiving as long as we mean it. But then you need to discipline yourself by promising that if you do it again, you will pay this much in charity or fast for a day.
The message is: don't give up on yourself. Keep trying. Struggle is life. Satan can get you down, but you can and will beat him with God's help if you are serious about changing.
Tip #28: Pray, Pray and Pray
Never underestimate the power of prayer. Dua is the essence of worship. You connect to God through prayers. Talk to Him. He listens. While there, pray for this author and Sound Vision as well.
Tip #29: Fight Against Pornography
You will be blessed in your struggle if you speak and fight against pornography. It is not one person's problem. It is a problem that is hurting many people.
May God bless you.
Peace.
Comments
A phrase that I keep repeating and has helped me tremendously is "I am a slave of Allah and therefore I cannot be enslaved by sin". Please repeat this line over and over again if you are trying to fight this terrible disease. May Allah protect those who have not been exposed to porn, and for those who have may Allah help them in their fight.
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Alhamdulillah for this information. i have saved this article and inshallah i will follow it and use it to rid myself of the disgusting haraam of pornography. Thank you again.
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Alhamdulilla, I've finally found the page that can help me overcome the addiction. I felt so bottled up before this for having to deal with this addiction. I was first exposed to pornography at a very young age of around 10, when I was browsing through the webpages that my sister and cousin browsed through earlier. Then I came across it again when I was surfing for the website of my favourite band Spice Girls, last time. And now I'm already 20, and the addictions had been with me for the past 10 years. It's really depressing because I can never bring myself to talk to anyone about this addiction, for fearing of inviting wrong impression of myself. Hence I decided to keep quiet. What made it worst was the fact that I seldom pray. I guess that was what kept bringing relapses to me. Insya`Allah, I will try all the methods mention. Do pray for my success in dealing with this addiction, Insya`Allah. Thank you very much..
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Im a 15 year old Catholic,although I am not muslim iI find this site very helpful. Most information here applies to Catholicism as well so it is easy to relate. Thank You and God Bless.
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Zazakallah brother i myself am addicted to this disgraceful foolishness I started to become addicted to this at the age of eleven Iam now thriteen and when my mother caught me one day redhanded I realized my stupidity and decided that I was through with it before Igot caught I was trying to stop myself if it wasn't for my loving mother i would still be into porn I was introduced to porn by one of my school friends.They didnt tell me anything face to face but I had only overheard them talking about a website and look how far I went its funny isnt it who would have thought a quiet boy like me would get into this kind of stupidness.By the way thanks for helping me stay on the right path and for the tips .I am just glad that Iam a muslim after every Jumma sallat i ask Allah tala for forgiveness even though I have given up any dealings with pornography my mother nor my father has any trust in me any more I will just ask Allah to help those who have been addicted to porn and hopefor them not to end up to be like me.IF THERE WAS ANYTHING HIGHER THAN _GREAT_ FOR RATING THEN I WOULD HAVE RATED THAT.May Allah tala save us from all things related to pornography.Inshaallah.
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Bismillah. Salams and thank you for giving useful tips and understanding that it is sometimes hard( nearly impossible) to avoid many of the nasty, ugly things that they throw at us from all media.
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This is a very good article. However, there is a very important point missing. Allah by his infinite mercy has made us aware of good and bad. The problem with us humans is controlling the inner self (nafs). Once we corrupt our inner self (nafs) with any sin be it porn, masturbation, alcohol, fortification, adultery, or gambling, it becomes very hard to give up that sin. The practical picture can be presented as metal catching rust. It is like cancer. Even if you think you got rid of it, there is always a good chance of it coming back. Basically in all the feedback people say they tried giving up the sin but were unsuccessful. Cancer doesn’t have a 100 % cure; there is always a chance it might show up later again. This is the same logic behind these sins. Once you taste alcohol, commit fortification, commit masturbation, commit adultery, start gambling, or any other sin it is like opening a door that can never be completely closed. Even if you overcome the sin after a great battle and from mercy of Allah, the door will remain open since Satan can always use the same sin you use to commit to lure you. If you have committed any sin, then you need to realize that the door cannot be permanently closed. The door will remain close as long as you are spiritually close to Allah (Strong Taqawah). The five pillars of Islam is the foundation for cure. Zikir (remembrance of Allah) is a pill; whenever you are free indulge yourself in it. This will help sand the rust off the inner self (nafs). Follow the entire advice of brother Abdul Malik Mujahid, may Allah reward him. If at the end all this seems hopeless and you feel that the sin is impossible to go away, try to find a true sheik, that follows all the sunna of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Consult him and by the mercy of Allah then you might actually able to keep the door close as along as you keep a sheik in your life. You need to find a sheik that follows all the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (doesn’t trim is bread, does miswak, etc) and is compatible with you. You might visit him one a week or what ever work for you. Initially frequent visit will help. The sheik in this case is a Doctor that will perform spiritually treatment to clean your inner self (nafs). Therefore it is really important to find the best of the best with experience. Ohh Son of Adam do not waste the bounties that Allah has granted you by indulging in sin. Visit your local hospital for patient visitation and see the bounties that Allah has granted you and how much you transgress. May Allah guide us to the straight path. May Allah grant us a place in highest level of Paradise (Janat al firdus). May Allah forgive all our sins and make us pure as a baby just coming out a mother’s womb. May Allah grant us the willpower to overcome all sins and become true muslims.
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Am from India and a active member in Islamic yahoo group. I read mails and forward intersting Islamic mails to my friends and brothers. I've also been a prey to pornography, when shaitan lured me, when i was 18 and alone in home. I struggled a lot and won some &yet lost many battles with shaitan. By the Grace of Allah, i am trying to recover. I read about the pronography and how to avoid and what does Islam says about it. It's really quite impressive. May Allah shower blessings on all of us and protect us from Shaitan.
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What a great site!Thank you very much.I am an Orthodox Christian and I like what you advise young people.Pornography is a big sin against God and humanity.May God bless you.
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hello, i am a 15 year old boy in canada. I once in while get addicted to pornagrphy and i get all lost and i dont know what to do anymore. But when i red the instruction in this web i told my self that insheallah i will get red of this bad habit. thank you for your info.
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