15 PRACTICAL

TIPS TO QUIT
PORNOGRAPHY AND
MASTURBATION
Towards becoming a better Muslim
(As for) those who fear their Lord in secret, they shall surely have
forgiveness and a great reward
– Al-Mulk verse 12

YUSUF ISSA
(ABU-UNAYS AL-HASAN)

Al-Qasas Publications
 15 PRACTICAL
TIPS TO QUIT
PORNOGRAPHY AND
MASTURBATION
Towards becoming a better Muslim
(As for) those who fear their Lord in secret, they shall surely have
forgiveness and a great reward
– Al-Mulk verse 12

YUSUF ISSA
(ABU-UNAYS AL-HASAN)
 © Al-Qasas Publications

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 CONTENTS
Introduction 1

How to stop pornography a nd masturba tion 4

Repenta nce 6

Work the Ima n 8

Ma rriage 11

Fasting 13

Sala t 15

Kill the Trigger 18

Fulfil the Trust 19

Be wa ry of Social Media 20

Give your self a reason 21

Remember Dea th 23

Pa tience a nd Perserva nce 24

Exercise 25

Avoid spending too much time alone 26

Stay Orga nised 27

Adhkaa r 28

Conclusion 33

INDEX 34
 FOREWORD

BismiLlahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

All praise be to Allah ‫ﷻ‬, the especially Benevolent, the especially
Merciful. May His peace and blessings be upon the soul of the
best of mankind-Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬, his noble household, his
companions and those who hold true to his legacy until the Last
Day. Aameen.

I ask Allah ‫ ﷻ‬to use this little guide as a means to nearness (to
Him) for me, and a sabab1 for the reader’s freedom from the
shackles of pornography and masturbation, for indeed, both
are apparent evils. To right a wrong, one must first admit the
wrong, then proceed to take appropriate steps to righting such
an identified wrong. Getting a copy of this book means you’re
resolute about giving up the evil act of masturbation and or
pornography. Well, or maybe for a reason that may not be
apparent to me.

Sins are parts of the shortcomings of mankind and therefore,

everyone has their own fair share of sins, the difference is only
in the attitude towards repentance as well as the frequency of
the sins and repentance. As much as it’s encouraged to conceal
one’s sins, it’s more praiseworthy to avoid sins in private just as
one does in public. Allah ‫ ﷻ‬says:
ِ ْ ‫ب َلُم َّمغْ ِفرةٌ وأ‬ ِ َّ
ٌ‫َج ٌر َكبري‬ َ َ ِ ‫ش ْو َن َربـَُّهم ِبلْغَْي‬ َ ‫إِ َّن الذ‬
َ َْ‫ين ي‬
(As for) those who fear their Lord in secret, they shall surely have
forgiveness and a great reward.2

Before I move on, I would like to state that being involved in any or both of
these acts (pornography and masturbation) does not bar one from becoming a
pious Muslim, so long one repents sincerely from the act(s) . By the way, Allah
‫ ﷻ‬has not described the pious and most obedient of His servants as those who
do not sin at all, rather those who sin, remember Allah ‫ﷻ‬, repent and do not
persist in their sins;
ِ ‫الل وَل ي‬ ُّ ‫استـَغْ َف ُروا لِ ُذنُوبِِ ْم َوَمن يـَغْ ِف ُر‬ ِ َ‫والَّ ِذين إِ َذا فـعلُوا ف‬
‫َى َما‬
ٰ ‫ص ُّروا َعل‬ ُ ْ َ َُّ ‫وب إَِّل‬
َ ُ‫الذن‬ َّ ‫س ُه ْم ذَ َك ُروا‬
ْ َ‫اللَ ف‬ َ ‫َموا أَن ُف‬
ُ ‫شةً أ َْو ظَل‬
َ ‫اح‬ ََ َ َ
‫َمو َن‬
ُ ‫فـََعلُوا َو ُه ْم يـَْعل‬
And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual
1 This means cause
2 Al-Mulk verse 12
intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah
and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but
Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while
they know. 3

The Companions of the Prophet-May Allah be pleased with

them-have indeed gone on to become the best generation of
Muslims after having been in errors in their past (before Islam).
It’s hoped that after reading this book, the reader will be
motivated to race towards piety.

Yusuf Issa

Nigeria
December 2020

3 Aal-e-Imran verse 135.

 z
INTRODUCTION

P ornography and masturbation are two secret acts that

people engage in for an alternative sexual gratification,
mostly in seclusion and without a partner. The former however,
has been found to induce the latter. But one thing clear is
that the root cause of both is related to sexual appetite and
gratification. Although people’s shyness fabric may have been
torn as people now come out to recount their experience and
penchant for pornography and or masturbation as we see on
the social media. Also, a relevant fact about the acts is that both
are (often times) done secretly by a person, two or group. The
last ounce of shame in people is the reason they don’t engage
in the act(s) openly. This however, can only continue in private
as long as the doer(s) has/have a little shame and they are sane.
The prophet ‫ ﷺ‬says;
‘Righteousness is in good character and morality and
wrongdoing is that which wavers in your heart and you dislike
people finding out about’ 1

1 Hadith 27 of Nawawi

1
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

WHAT IS PORNOGRAPHY?
Pornography is the explicit literary or visual depiction of sexual
subject matter; any display of material of an erotic nature.2 In
other words, pornography can be a video tape or a literary work.

WHAT IS MASTURBATION?
Manual or erotic stimulation of the genitals or other erotic
region, often to orgasm, either by oneself or a partner.3
While pornography is prohibited in Islām, masturbation is only
allowed if done between legal partners, provided the genital is
stimulated with the left hand of one’s spouse.

‫وج ِه ْم َحافِظُو َن‬ ِ ‫والَّ ِذين ُهم لِ ُفر‬

ُ ْ َ َ
And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal
sexual acts)
ِ ِ ‫إَِّل َعلَ ٰى أَ ْزو‬
َ ‫ت أ َْيَانـُُه ْم فَِإنـَُّه ْم غَيـُْر َملُوم‬
‫ني‬ ْ ‫اج ِه ْم أ َْو َما َملَ َك‬ َ
Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their
right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame;
‫ادو َن‬ ُ ‫ك ُه ُم ال َْع‬ َ ِ‫ك فَأُوٰلَئ‬
َ ِ‫فَ َم ِن ابـْتـَغَ ٰى َوَراءَ َٰذل‬
But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors;4
Surah An-Noor, Verse 30:
َ ِ‫وج ُه ْم َٰذل‬ ِ ‫قُل لِّلْم ْؤِمنِني يـغُضُّوا ِمن أَب‬
ْ َ‫اللَ َخبِريٌ ِبَا ي‬
‫صنـَعُو َن‬ َّ ‫ك أَ ْزَك ٰى َلُ ْم إِ َّن‬ َ ‫صا ِره ْم َوَْي َفظُوا فـُُر‬ َْ ْ َ َ ُ

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at

forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal
sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah‫ ﷻ‬is All-
Aware of what they do.5

2 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=livio.pack.lang.en_US
3 Ibid
4 Al-Mumenoon verses 5, 6 7.
5 An-Nur verse 30

2
 Introduction

SIDE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY AND

MASTURBATION
The side effects include but not limited to; weak eyesight, weak
nervous system and or back pain,6 premature ejaculation and
consequently secondary impotence. The opposite sex tends to
be reduced to object of sex in the mind of anyone who watches
pornography and or masturbates frequently. His spouse does
not amuse him.

6 https://islamqa.info/en/answers/329/ruling-on-masturbation-and-
how-to-cure-the-problem

3
 z
HOW TO STOP PORNOGRAPHY AND
MASTURBATION

T here are practical ways by which pornography and

masturbation, as well as other secret habits can be given
up like one never did them before, bi ‘awniLlahi wa tawfeeqihi.
But first of all, since these remedies are aimed at having a better
spiritual life, it’s better to emphasise the essence of sincerity.

Have a sincere intention that you’re giving up the act(s) for

Allah’s sake and that Allah may forgive you and increase your
rank. This is because any act of worship in the religion, voluntary
or obligatory, must be done solely for Allah’s sake, otherwise,
it becomes Shirk and unaccepted, this is because you’ve given
what belongs solely to Allah ‫ ﷻ‬to another.
‫ تركته وشركه‏ ‏” قال‬،‫ من عمل عمال أشرك فيه معي غريي‬،‫‏ أان أغىن الشركاء عن الشرك‬:‫هللا تعاىل‏‬
Almighty Allah says, ‘I am the One Who is most free from want of
partners. He who does a thing for the sake of someone else besides
Me, I discard him and his polytheism..” 1

ِ ِ ِ‫الل ُمْل‬ ِ ِ
‫اء‬
َ ‫ين ُحنـََف‬
َ ‫ني لَهُ ال ّد‬
َ‫ص‬ ََّ ‫َوَما أُم ُروا إَِّل ليـَْعبُ ُدوا‬
And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah,
and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing
1 Riyad as-Salihin 1616
 How to Stop Pornography and Masturbation

partners to Him)2

2 Al-Bayyina, verse 5

5
 z
REPENTANCE

S eek repentance from that which you’ve committed. The

prophet ‫ ﷺ‬used to repent 70 times a day (in another
narration, 100.) despite having been forgiven all sins. Seek
repentance from these/this particular sin(s) following the
conditions of repentance:
• Giving up the sin for Allah’s sake.
• Feeling remorse and guilty over the actions. Regret itself is
the most important aspect of repentance as the Prophet-
peace be upon him-has regarded it as repentance
• Resolving to not commit the sin again.
A fourth condition will be necessitated if the right of another
person is involved. Then it’ll be important to seek the person’s
forgiveness or give back to him what you have taken from him.
In seeking forgiveness however, it’s not necessary to swear to
never do the act(s) again because if you fail, you’ll be liable to
expiation for breaking your vow. Rather, if you slip and commit
the sin(s) again, renew your repentance with stronger resolution
and deeper regret.

َِ ‫الذنُوب‬ َِّ ‫ادي الَّ ِذين أَسرفُوا علَ ٰى أَن ُف ِس ِهم َل تـ ْقنطُوا ِمن َّر ْح ِة‬
ِ َّ ‫الل إِ َّن‬ ِ ِ
ُ‫ج ًيعا إِنَّه‬ َ ُّ ‫اللَ يـَغْف ُر‬ َ ََ ْ َ َْ َ َ َ‫قُ ْل َي عب‬
‫يم‬ ِ َّ ‫هو الْغَ ُفور‬
ُ ‫الرح‬ ُ َُ
 Repentance

Say: “O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against

themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the
Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-
Forgiving, Most Merciful.

7
 z
WORK THE IMAN

T he level of one’s Iman generally determines how easily

or hardly one gives in to a sin. This is because the Iman
increases and decreases. It increases with obedience to Allah
‫ ﷻ‬and decreases with sins.1 The manifestation of weak Iman
is persistence on a sin such that it becomes a habit. Thus, the
higher the Iman, the difficult it becomes to sin. The aspiration
of a Muslim, however, should be the attainment of the highest
level of faith2 where they worship Allah ‫ ﷻ‬as though they could
see Him and if they are not (truly) able to see Him, they know
He sees them. Summarily, there are two pieces of advice from
the scholars:
• Regular recitation of the Quran and in great deal: It Is
advised that whoever desires an increase in their Iman
read and listen to the Quran a great deal, ponder on
the meanings of what is recited and listened to. If you
experience any difficulty in understanding the meanings,
refer to your local scholars who are upon the Sunnah.
According to Shaykh Sulayman ar-Ruhayli,3 reciting the
1 ‘Aqeedah ahlis Sunnah
2 Martabah al-ihsaan
3 In a short clip on Quran as a source of barakah in time available on
YouTube
 Work the Iman

Quran on a daily basis is one of the ways one can have a

blessed day as one’s time is blessed. So, it’s important to set
aside a portion of the morning to read the Quran. Having
a blessed day will consequently mean one has been able to
make judicious use of one’s time, accumulating little to no
sin. Also it’s advised that one make a lot of dhikr such as
‘SubhaanaLlaah walhamduliLlaah wa Laa ilaaha illaLlahu
waLlahu akbar’ and so on. Remembering Allah ‫ ﷻ‬increases
Iman and brings peace to the heart, as Allah ‫ ﷻ‬says in the
Quran;
َِّ ‫الل أ ََل بِ ِذ ْك ِر‬
‫الل تَط َْمئِ ُّن الْ ُقلُوب‬ َِّ ‫الَّ ِذين آمنوا وتَطْمئِ ُّن قـلُوبـهم بِ ِذ ْك ِر‬
ُُ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ
Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the
remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah’s remembrance are
the hearts set at rest.4
• Second, since Iman increases by doing good deeds, then
it’s pertinent to adhere to performing the acts of worship
which Allah ‫ ﷻ‬has made mandatory, how they ought to
be done and at their prescribed time. This should also be
coupled with voluntary ‘ibadaat.
I’ll further recommend;
• Attending gatherings where matters of the religion are
being discussed
• Attending Jumu’ah punctually and listening to the the
Khutbah with rapt attention
• Visiting the cemetery once in a while as well as participating
in Janaazah
• Accompanying the pious
It’s said that you’re a reflection of your friends. Show me your
friend and I will tell you who you are.
Indeed, if anyone wants to avoid great sins of every kind, it’s
upon them to accompany pious friends who’ll motivate them
to become better Muslims by reminding them when they forget,
4 Ar-Rad verse 28

9
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

correcting them when they err and advising them on matters

of importance to their life and aakhirah. If you accompany
friends with no virtue, even if you’re better than them, bit by
bit you become like them as some parts of their characters
become parts of you as their companionship does not increase
you in goodness. If you sit with friends who are adulterous or
fornicators, who spend most of their time talking lewd about
the opposite gender, if you’re not able to join them, you may end
up viewing pornographical contents and masturbating because
your mind would have been exposed to erotic imaginations and
excessive wandering. On the basis of this, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬has
warned us against befriending people with no virtues:
‫‏‬.‫ فلينظر أحدكم من خيالل‏”‏‏‬،‫الرجل على دين خليله‬
“Man follows his friend’s religion. Hence, you should be careful
who you take for friends”.
Allah ‫ ﷻ‬also says in the Quran :
ِ ٍ ‫ض ُه ْم لِبـَْع‬ ِ ‫ْال‬
ُ ‫َخ َّلءُ يـَْوَمئِ ٍذ بـَْع‬
َ ‫ض َع ُد ٌّو إَِّل ال ُْمتَّق‬
‫ني‬
Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-
Muttaqun (pious).5
When you befriend the pious, you can rest assured that when
you’re not with them they won’t backbite you, as Shaykh Assim
al-Hakeem said. 6
Endeavouring to increase the Iman will have a domino effect
on one’s entire life. It’s key in spiritual development and as a
matter of fact, the succeeding proffered solutions are directly
or indirectly geared towards having a raised Iman for one does
not implement them except that one’s Iman increases, In Shaa
Allah.
For further exposition on weakness of Iman, see this article.7

5 Surah Az-Zukhruf, Verse 67

6 https://youtu.be/UUEeq3XIhCY
7 https://islamqa.info/en/books/102/weakness-of-faith

10
 z
MARRIAGE

M arriage is the best solution to these problems. This is

because, no matter how high the Iman is, a sign that
one has a strong Iman is that it motivates one to get married
as soon as practicable that one may safeguard one’s chastity,
especially at a time when fitan1 have permeated the society.
Having known why people masturbate and watch pornography,
we know clearly that marriage indeed, is an antidote and this is
in great conformity with a prophetic hadith:
‫ص ُن لِ ْل َف ْر ِج َوَم ْن َلْ يَ ْستَ ِط ْع‬ ِ ُّ َ‫اع ِم ْن ُكم الْباء َة فـ ْليـتـزَّوج فَِإنَّه أَغ‬ ِ َ‫الشب‬
ْ ‫ص ِر َوأ‬
َ ‫َح‬ َ َ‫ض للْب‬ ُ ْ ََ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ‫استَط‬ ْ ‫اب َم ِن‬ َّ ‫ش َر‬َ ‫َي َم ْع‬
ِ ِ َّ ‫فـََعلَْي ِه ب‬
ِ
ٌ‫لص ْوم فَإنَّهُ لَهُ ِو َجاء‬
0 young men, those among you who can support a wife should
marry, for it restrains eyes (from casting evil glances) and
preserves one from immorality; but he who cannot afford It
should observe fast for it is a means of controlling the sexual
desire.2
“Support” above has been interpreted by scholars to mean sexual
and financial competence for man. Allah ‫ ﷻ‬has made marriage
a means of sexual security for both men and women with the
legal capacity(to enter into marriage contract). With marriage,
1 Tribulations/temptations
2 Sahih Muslim 1400c

11
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

sexual urges can be satisfied in not only a lawful, but a

rewarding manner3. No doubt that the one who is marriageable
but unmarried and has not resorted to fasting (and other means
as shall be duly noted) as a means to safeguard their chastity
is at a huge risk of pornography and masturbation. It’s highly
recommended to get married especially if it’s feared that one
may fall into Zina and sins analogous to same- pornography
and masturbation-. Marriage shouldn’t be delayed for any
reason that may not be only detrimental to one’s sexual health,
but also spiritual well-being consequently. The plans and
marital aspirations should be moderate so that marriage can be
made easy. The best of marriages is that which is made simple
after all4.
When you’re married, there’s not limit to which you can glance
at your spouse and even access them, clothed or bare. Therefore,
marriage is the long-lasting solution.

3 Having intercourse with one’s spouse earns one rewards just as

fornicating would earn sins.
4 Sunan Abi Dawud 2117

12
 z
FASTING

F asting has been recommended by the best of mankind, the

one who doesn’t speak out of his own volition- Muhammad
– to help bring the urge under control as noted in the earlier
quoted hadith. Fasting has been proven to lower the libido.
Although this is temporary as the vigour which had hitherto
been lost during the day can be regained after breaking the
fast. But apart from lacking the strength to engage in physical
activities, fasting enhances God’s consciousness mechanism in
every Muslim and thus, it becomes easier to do away with sins
because of how consequential sins are to the act of worship. The
definition of fasting itself is incomplete without “abstinence”.
This means that fasting helps to abstain from lustful desires.
On this note, I’ll recommend the Sunnah fast of Mondays and
Thursdays as well as the white days (13th,14th and 15th of every
lunar month). When you fast on Monday, anticipate, with
eagerness, Thursday that you may fast again. Upon breaking
your fast, ask Allah ‫ ﷻ‬to increase you in His obedience (as well
as other favours essential to your being in this life and the next)
because the supplication of a fasting person is accepted by Allah
‫ﷻ‬.
“There are three whose du’aa’ is not rejected: a just ruler, the

13
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

fasting person when he breaks his fast and the prayer of the
oppressed person. It rises above the clouds and the gates of heaven
are opened for it, and the Lord, may He be glorified, says, ‘By My
Glory I will answer you even if it is after a while.” 1

1 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2525; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in

Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2050.

14
 z
SALAT

U pon anyone who is into any act of indecency is Salat.

Ensure that you observe your Salawat1 not only regularly,
but punctually. It has been said that having a high level of Iman
(as well as striving to maintain the strength of the Iman) makes
it more difficult to commit sins, especially the great ones. And
one of the ways to increase the Iman is by performing obligatory
acts of worship as stipulated, as well as the voluntary acts. Salat
at its proper time is the best of deed2.

However, observing the Salawaat goes beyond praying them

regularly and punctually, but also correctly. The Prophet
‫ ﷺ‬says: ‘Pray as you’ve seen me pray’3. And it’s possible that
someone prays for forty years without Allah ‫ ﷻ‬accepting any
of the prayers4 because they didn’t pray correctly. Therefore, it’s
important to strive to improve the quality of one’s Salawaat by
ensuring that one’s Salawaat conform as much as possible with
that of the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬, by learning and knowing the correct
utterances and actions performed during Salah, what makes
1 Plural of Solat
2 Sahih Muslim 85 e
3 Sahih al-Bukhari 6008
4 Sunan an-Nasa’I 1312

15
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

and breaks Salah- most importantly praying with Khushuu’5.

Some tips to attain Khushuu’ as propounded by scholars include:
Knowing the meaning of every word you utter in the act (of
praying), praying nawaafil in seclusion (where no one will see
you), arriving at the masjid early to observe some nawaafil e.t.c.
In one of the progressing verses of Surah Al-Mumenoon, Allah
‫ ﷻ‬describes the believers who are bound to succeed as those
who pray with Khushuu’6.
Further, the importance and effect of Salat on a Muslim’s
spiritual well-being and a determinant of one’s fate in the
hereafter is stressed in a hadith of the Prophet ‫;ﷺ‬
‫ وإن‬،‫ فقد أفلح وأجنح‬،‫ فإن صلحت‬،‫‏إن أول ما حياسب به العبد يوم القيامة من عمله صالته‬
‫‏ انظروا هل لعبدي‬:‫ عز وج ‏ل‬،‫ قال الرب‬،‫ فإن انتقص من فريضته شيئًا‬،‫ فقد خاب وخسر‬،‫فسدت‬
‫ فيكمل منها ما انتقص من الفريضة‏؟‏ مث يكون سائر أعماله على هذا‏‬،‫”من تطوع‬
“The first of man’s deeds for which he will be called to account on
the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect,
he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will
be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the
obligatory Salat, the Glorious and Exalted Rubb will command to
see whether His slave has offered any voluntary Salat so that the
obligatory Salat may be made up by it. Then the rest of his actions
will be treated in the same manner.”
Scholars have explained this hadith to further mean that
whoever finds the account of Salat easy will likewise find the
account of other deeds easy. It can be understood from this that
whoever has a perfect record of Salat will have a perfect record
of other deeds too. This is likewise in alignment with Allah’s
َّ ‫اب َوأَقِ ِم‬
َّ ‫الص َلةَ إِ َّن‬ ِ ‫ك ِمن ال‬ ِ
words ‫ ﷻ‬in the Quran: ‫الص َلةَ تـَنـَْه ٰى‬ ِ َ‫ْكت‬ َ َ ‫اتْ ُل َما أُوح َي إِل َْي‬
‫ش ِاء َوال ُْمن َك ِر‬
َ ‫ع ِن الْ َف ْح‬...
َ
“Recite (O Muhammad SAW) what has been revealed to you of the
Book (the Quran), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). Verily,
5 Focus and humility
6 Al-Mumenoon verse 2

16
 Salat

As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. great sins of

every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e.
disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.)… “
The more you take Salat seriously, the farther you’ll be from
indecent acts. It’s on this premise that I recommend that
anyone afflicted with indecent acts hold fast to Salat and also
accompany it with some nawaafil both during the day and night.

17
 z
KILL THE TRIGGERS

B e wary of the things which induce you to do the acts

and flee from them. No doubt, pornography induces
masturbation which means the one who masturbates as a
result of pornography must learn to get rid of pornography to
be safe from it (masturbation). As for a pornography addict, he
must learn how to get rid of what leads to it. Thus, one cannot
categorically pinpoint but only identify some risk factors. For
some people it could be music, for some, movies, for some,
excessive and unnecessary exchanges with the opposite gender
or lustful thinking. It’s likewise possible to be influenced by
some foods as the combination of some foods has proven to
be aphrodisiac. Only the one suffering from the problem can
identify the triggers and take them out by fleeing from them as
one would flee from a mad dog. Avoid sleeping on your abdomen
and adopt the Sunnah of sleeping on the right part of your body.
Stop listening to music as they corrupt the intellect, and movies
too, although there are conditions set for the permissibility by
some scholars, of which no movie can meet 100% and therefore
better to leave it for the well-being of mind.
Most importantly, lower your gaze because the trouble most
times begins with gazing.
 z
FULFILL THE TRUST

K now that every part of your body is a trust from Allah ‫ﷻ‬. He’s
the one who has blessed you with the sight, the genital and
the hands. While some wish for these favours, you’re using them
to transgress the limits of Allah ‫ﷻ‬. It’s an act of ungratefulness
to use these favours for what Allah ‫ ﷻ‬has prohibited.
‫ص َار َو ْالَفْئِ َدةَ قَلِ ًيل َّما تَ ْش ُك ُرو َن‬ ِ ‫ُثَّ س َّواه ونـ َف َخ فِ ِيه ِمن ُّر‬
َّ ‫وح ِه َو َج َع َل لَ ُك ُم‬
َ ْ‫الس ْم َع َو ْالَب‬ ََ ُ َ

Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into

him the soul (created by Allah for that person), and He gave you
hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you
give! 1
In another verse, Allah ‫ ﷻ‬says;
‫ْسنـَتـُُه ْم َوأَيْ ِدي ِه ْم َوأ َْر ُجلُ ُهم ِبَا َكانُوا يـَْع َملُو َن‬
ِ ‫يـوم تَ ْشه ُد َعلَي ِهم أَل‬
ْ ْ َ َ َْ

On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will
bear witness against them as to what they used to do.
Know that Allah ‫ ﷻ‬is able to take away these blessings.2

1 Surah As-Sajda, Verse 9

2 Surah An-Noor, Verse 24

19
 z
BE WARY OF SOCIAL MEDIA

A ddiction of social media is a like of everything else’s, if

not more. It’s best if one can limit the use to as much as
necessary. If you must use the social media, then be very cautious
for lowering one’s gaze on the social media is important too
because fitan abound in the social media and with just a pop-
up, you might find yourself on an erotic page. Avoid too much
and unnecessary exchanges with the opposite gender on the
Internet. Endeavour to put the social media into beneficial use
by using it to spread knowledge and appropriate admonitions
and likewise as a tool for learning.
A poet has written some lines as regards the Internet1;
‫شت‬ َّ ‫كرهت‬
ّ ‫النت حىت ضقت نتّا وأسبايب هلذا الكره‬
ِ
‫الساعات وقتا‬ ‫حبر عمي ٌق وكم أيخذ من‬
ٌ ‫فمنها أنّه‬

I hate the Internet so much that I got tired of it

And my reasons for this hatred are many
From it is because it’s a deep ocean
How many times has it taken away (my) time2

1
2 A poem on the dangers of the internet by Muqbil Ahmad
 z
GIVE YOURSELF A REASON

G ive yourself a reason that either motivates (to do away with

the sins) or scares you.
From this, I’ll recommend admonishing against every act of
indecency at every given opportunity. To do this, you don’t
have to catch people in the act or suspect them, you just give a
general admonition that will benefit everyone at the risk. And
if you catch someone in the act- say, gazing at pornographic
content without evading their privacy, you can admonish them
too and that which Allah ‫ ﷻ‬has privileged you to see should be
between you, the other person and Allah, don’t mention it to
other people.
When you warn against indecency, good conscience will not
allow you to do what you warn people against, especially when
you know that a severe punishment awaits those who preach
what they don’t practise as recorded in a hadith of the prophet
‫“ ;ﷺ‬A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and will
be cast into Hell, and his intestines will pour forth and he will go
round them as a donkey goes round a millstone. The inmates of
Hell will gather round him and say: `What has happened to you,
O so-and-so? Were you not enjoining us to do good and forbidding
us to do evil?’ He will reply: `I was enjoining you to do good, but

21
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

was not doing it myself; and I was forbidding you to do evil, but
was doing it myself”.1
Allah ‫ ﷻ‬says in the Quran:
‫آمنُوا ِلَ تـَُقولُو َن َما َل تـَْف َعلُو َن‬ ِ َّ
َ ‫َي أَيـَُّها الذ‬
َ ‫ين‬
َِّ ‫َكبـر م ْقتا ِعن َد‬
‫الل أَن تـَُقولُوا َما َل تـَْف َعلُو َن‬ ً َ َُ
O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Most hateful it is with Allah ‫ ﷻ‬that you say that which you do
not2
Although, some scholars have said doing what you preach
against doesn’t make you a hypocrite which will entitle one to
the punishment mentioned in the Hadith above this is because
there are four basic duties on a Muslim:
• He advises people to do righteous things
• He himself does the righteous things he calls to
• He advises people to stay away from what is Haram
• He himself stays away from what’s Haram.
If one falls short in any of these, it may not mean one has become
a hypocrite3 but what’s more prudent is to strive as much as
possible to not be in that situation.
Similarly, you can make your repentance from the sin(s) a
waseelah (means) to get favours from Allah ‫ ﷻ‬as some scholars
have said, by supplicating to Allah ‫‘ ﷻ‬O Allah, I’ve given up such
and such sin. If truly it was for your sake, grant me such and
such” and you’ll be granted, In Shaa Allah.

1 [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2 Surah As-Saff verses 2 and 3
3 https://youtu.be/7qqH6hfx78M

22
 z
REMEMBER DEATH

R emembrance of death engenders piety which consequently

helps you to abstain from major sins because the first thing
you think of is what if you die while disobeying Allah ‫ﷻ‬, doing
that which you’ve been prohibited from. And you know you’ll
be resurrected the same way you died. And you know it would
be unbefitting to die in such a manner. Just as Abu Bakr As-
Siddeeq ‫ رضي هللا عنه‬advised: Learn from your family and friends
who have passed away, how they were taken suddenly. And
know that you don’t know when yours too will be for it will
come at a time you least expect. However, the remembrance of
death should not be done exceedingly but moderately for too
much of it is bad for the body as Ibn Jawzi ‫ رمحه هللا‬noted in his
book.1 Know that if you don’t take lesson from those who have
passed away, whether or not you want, you’ll become a lesson
too, good or bad, depending on how you spend your life.

1 Tibb al-rabbani.

23
 z
PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE

Y ou need patience and perseverance to overcome your desire.

Know that all the temptations won’t go away. So, avoid
the ones avoidable and persevere over the ones you have no
control over. Allah ‫ ﷻ‬has promised the patient His forgiveness
and Jannah.1 Keep your eyes on the reward and be sincere. Be
patient till Allah ‫ ﷻ‬makes a way for you. The prophet ‫ ﷺ‬says;
“Whoever seeks chastity Allaah will make him chaste, and whoever
seeks help from none but Allaah, He will help him, and whoever
is patient He will make it easy for him, and no one has ever been
given anything better than patience.” 2
Allah ‫ ﷻ‬always makes a way out of every difficulty for those
who fear Him.3 Bear a little more, only a little remains.

1 Al-Ahzab verse 35
2 Bukhari:1469
3 At-Talaq verse 2
 z
EXERCISE

E xercises may help stop pornography and consequently,

masturbation. This is because endorphins are released
during exercises, and this strengthens the body like weightlifting,
running and swimming. This promotes feeling of well-being.
Feeling happier and relaxed may reduce the urge to masturbate.

25
 z
AVOID SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME
ALONE

“Do not spend the night alone”1

Spending too much time alone tends to make one vulnerable.
Unless you’re occupied with a beneficial engagement which
spending time in seclusion may allow you focus or relaxing
(moderately), try as much as possible to not spend too much
time in seclusion.
Addicts always crave seclusion, thus it’s best to avoid being in
seclusion except for the above mentioned reasons or others
which are necessary
Except you’ve tried hard and conquered your desires, Shaytan
can easily lure you into the acts if you spend too much time
more than necessary in seclusion.

1 Ahmad 6919

26
 z
STAY ORGANIZED

M ake sure you don’t leave idle time in your daily schedule.
ake plans ahead for the day and follow your plans
religiously. In Shaa Allah. These are some tips to stay organised:
• Go to bed the same time everyday
• Get up the same time everyday. If you are not able to go to
bed according to your routine the previous night, try to get
up the same time except when it will be impracticable and,
as a result, detrimental to your health. But regardless of all
this, always go to bed with the intention of waking up for
the night prayers.
• Prioritise your daily activities and do everything at its fixed
time. For example, when you wake up at midnight, pray,
seek forgiveness and supplicate to Allah ‫ ﷻ‬for what you
want of His favours. After Fajr, before sunrise is the time
recommended for morning adhkaar (and likewise, after
Asr, before sunset for evening adhkaar). Afterwards, you
may recite what is convenient for you from the Quran.
This is in line with the principle that the best deed at every
point in time is the ‘Ibaadah recommended that is for that
time. Even though the Quran is the best dhikr, the morning
adhkaar takes precedent over it because it’s the ‘Ibaadah

27
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

prescribed for that period.

• Set aside a portion of your day for seeking beneficial
knowledge- useful to both this life and the next – no matter
how little.
A busy day (with the right things of course) is a fulfilled day.
Getting busy will prevent you from doing the act(s). In doing
these, however, ensure to not burden yourself so that you can
do the routine consistently. Remember that the most beloved of
deeds to Allah ‫ ﷻ‬is that which is done consistently even if it is
little. I recommend the book “The Value of Time in the
Muslim’s Life”, a transcribed lecture of Shaykh Abdur-Razzaq
bn Abdul-Muhsin ‘Abbad. It will motivate you to put your time
to good use In Shaa Allah. And also, “Discipling The Soul”
(translated) by Imam Ibn al-Jawzi ‫ رمحه هللا‬. You can read few pages
of the book daily and implement the lessons.

28
 z
ADHKAAR

H
• Istighfaar
ere are some adhkaar from the Quran and the Sunnah to
help you.

َ ِ‫ت أَعُوذُ ب‬ ِ ِ َ ْ‫اللَّ ُه َّم أَن‬

َ ْ‫ت َرِّب الَ إِلَهَ إِالَّ أَن‬
‫ك‬ ْ ‫ت َخلَ ْقتَ ِن َوأ ََن َع ْب ُد َك َوأ ََن َعلَى َع ْهد َك َوَو ْعد َك َما‬
ُ ‫استَطَ ْع‬
َ ْ‫وب إِالَّ أَن‬ ُّ ‫ك َعلَ َّى فَا ْغ ِف ْر ِل فَِإنَّهُ الَ يـَغْ ِف ُر‬
َ ِ‫َك بِنِ ْع َمت‬
َ ‫َك بِ َذنِْب َوأَبُوءُ ل‬ ِ
‫ت‬ َ ُ‫الذن‬ َ ‫ت أَبُوءُ ل‬ َ ‫م ْن َش ِّر َما‬
ُ ‫صنـَْع‬

The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said: “The best of prayers for forgiveness is for

a person to say: ‘Allahumma, anta rabbi, la ilaha illa anta,
khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika
mastata’tu, a’udhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, abuw’u laka
bidhanbi, wa abuw’u laka bini’matika ‘alayya faghfirli, fa
innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta
(O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You have
created me and I am Your slave and I am keeping my promise and
covenant to You as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from the
evil of what I do. I acknowledge Your blessing and I acknowledge
my sin, so forgive me, for there is none who can forgive sin except
You.)’ If he says this in the morning, believing in it firmly, and
dies on that day before evening comes, he will enter Paradise, and
if he says it in the evening, believing firmly in it, and dies before

29
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

morning comes, he will enter Paradise.” 1

‫وب إِل َْي ِه‬ ِ ‫الل الْع ِظ‬ ِ ‫أ‬:

َ ُّ‫يم الَّذي الَ إِلَهَ إِالَّ ُه َو ا ْلَ َّى الْ َقي‬
ُ ُ‫وم َوأَت‬ َ َ ََّ ‫َستـَغْف ُر‬
ْ
Whoever says: “I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Magnificent,
whom there is none worthy of worship but Him, the Living, Al-
Qayyum, and I repent to him,” (Astaghfirullahal-Azimalladhi La
Ilaha Illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyumu Wa Atubu Ilaih) then Allah
will forgive him, even if he fled from battle.’” 2

‫ب ا ْغ ِف ْر ِل‬
ِّ ‫َر‬
Rabbi ighfir lee
O my Lord, forgive me

• Tazkiyyah
،‫ اللهم آت نفسي تقواها‬،‫ وعذاب القرب‬،‫ والبخل واهلرم‬،‫‏اللهم إين أعوذ بك من العجز والكسل‬
‫ اللهم إين أعوذ بك من علم ال ينفع ومن قلب ال‬،‫ أنت وليها وموالها‬،‫وزكها أنت خري من زكاها‬
‫‏‬.‫ ومن دعوة ال يستجاب هلا‏”‏‏‬،‫ ومن نفس ال تشبع‬،‫خيشع‬
“Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-‘ajzi wal-kasali, wal-
bukhli wal-harami, wa ‘adhabil-qabri. Allahumma ati
nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha Anta khairu man zakkaha, Anta
waliyyuha wa maulaha. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min
‘ilmin la yanfau’, wa min qalbin la yakhsha’u, wa min nafsin
la tashba’u, wa min da’watin la yustajabu laha’
[O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the inability (to do good),
indolence, cowardice, miserliness, decrepitude and torment of
the grave. O Allah! Grant me the sense of piety and purify my
soul as You are the Best to purify it. You are its Guardian and
its Protecting Friend. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the
knowledge which is not beneficial, and from a heart which does
not fear (You), and from desire which is not satisfied, and from
prayer which is not answered].” 3
1 Sunan an-Nasa’I 5522
2 Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3577
3 Muslim

30
 Adhkaar

‫ ومن شر مين‏‬،‫ ومن شر قليب‬،‫ ومن شر لساين‬،‫ ومن شر بصري‬،‫اللهم إين أعوذ بك من شر مسعي‬
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min sharri sam’i, wa min
sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa
min sharri maniyyi
(O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evils of my hearing, the
evils of my seeing, the evils of my tongue; the evils of my heart and
the evils of passions).4

• Steadfastness
َ ِ‫ت قـَلِْب َعلَى ِدين‬
ْ ِّ‫وب ثـَب‬
ِ ُ‫ب الْ ُقل‬ ِ
‫ك‬ َ ّ‫‏ َي ُم َقل‬
qalbī
Yā Muqallibal-qulūb, thabbit `alā dīnik)
‘O Changer of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.

‫”اللهم مصرف القلوب صرف قليب على طاعتك‏‬

“Allahumma musarrifal-qulubi, sarrif qalbī ‘ala ta’atika
(O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your
obedience).”

• Evil whispering
ِ ِ ِ
ِ ‫الل التّـام‬
‫ـات‬ ّ ّ ‫أَعـوذُ بِ َكلمـات‬
ِ ‫ضـبِ ِه و ِعـقابِ ِه و َش ِـر ِعب‬
‫ـاد ِه‬ ِ
ّ َ َ َ َ‫من غ‬
ِ ‫الشـياط‬
‫ني َوأَ ْن َْيضـرون‬ ِ ِ
َّ ‫َوم ْن َهَـزات‬
A`ūdhu bikalimāti ‘llāhit-tāmmāti
min ghaḍabihi wa `iqābihi wa sharri `ibādih,
wa min hamazātish-shayāṭīni wa an yaḥḍurūn.
I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah
from His anger and His punishment,
from the evil of His slaves,
and from the taunts of devils and from their presence. 5
4 Riyad as-Salihin 1483
5 Hisn al-Muslim 113

31
 15 Practical Tips to Quit Pornography and Masturbation

‫الرِج ِيم‬
َّ ‫ان‬ َّ ‫لل ِم َن‬
ِ َ‫الش ْيط‬ َِّ ‫أَعوذُ ِب‬
ُ
A’oothu biLlahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem.
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast6

You can select the ones that are easy for you to recite across
all categories so that you’ll be able to make the supplications
consistently and not burden yourself.

6 Hisn al-Muslim.

32
 z
CONCLUSION

I’ll leave you with this stupendous advice of the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬:
‫ك قـَْب َل‬ َ َ‫ك َو ِغن‬
َ َ‫اك قـَْب َل فـَْق ِر َك َوفـََراغ‬ َ ‫ك قـَْب َل َس َق ِم‬ ِ‫كو‬
َ َ‫ص َّحت‬ ِ
َ َ ‫ك قـَْب َل َه َرم‬
َ َ‫س َشبَاب‬ ٍ َْ‫سا قـَْب َل خ‬ ِ
ً َْ‫ا ْغتَن ْم خ‬
‫ك‬ ِ
َ ‫ك قـَْب َل َم ْوت‬
َ َ‫ك َو َحيَات‬ ِ
َ ‫ُشغُل‬
“Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age,
your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty,
your free time before your work, and your life before your death.”
1

No one has said the fight will be easy. It may be difficult, but
not impossible. And if you’re resolute about putting up the fight
to seek Allah’s pleasure, Allah ‫ ﷻ‬will definitely guide you. It’s
a promise from him and the trial will pass quickly because life
itself is for a short time.
ِ َّ ‫اه ُدوا فِينَا لَنـَْه ِديـَنـَُّه ْم ُسبـُلَنَا َوإِ َّن‬ ِ َّ
َ ِ‫اللَ ل ََم َع ال ُْم ْحسن‬
‫ني‬ َ ‫ين َج‬
َ ‫َوالذ‬
And those who strive in Our (cause),- We will certainly guide
them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right.2
You’ve always wanted to become a better Muslim. Start now!

1 Al-Imān 9575; Shu’ab al-Imān 9575 Sahih (authentic) according to

Al-Albani
2 Al-Ankaboot verse 69

33
 INDEX

1. https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:1479
2. http://qaalarasulallah.com/hadithView.php?ID=45537
3. https://www.kulalsalafiyeen.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9941
4. https://islamqa.info/en/articles/47/there-are-three-whose-
duaas-are-not-rejected-including-the-fasting-person-
when-he-breaks-his-fast
5. https://sunnah.com/muslim/16/3
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325743#how-
to-stop
7. h t t p s : / / s i t e s . g o o g l e . c o m / s i t e / i s l a m i c d a w a o n l i n e /
purnishment-of-hellfire
8. Sunnah.com [Generally]
9. Islamqa.info/en [Generally]
10. IQuran
11. Hisn al-Muslim

34
35
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Al-Qasas Publications