10 Reasons Why You Need to Quit Pornography and Masturbation, Now!

And those who guard their chastity against illegal sexual acts, except with their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. — Quran 23[Al-Muminoon]:5–7

In today’s digital age, pornography and masturbation have become widespread phenomena with far-reaching consequences. Explicit content exists in different forms across the internet including pictures, videos, audio, games, and social media posts. An average young man today has been exposed to more adult content than what his grandfather experienced of nudity in his entire lifetime. This is a sensitive topic affecting a lot of young people, especially Muslim Men — we can’t shy away from this.

From moral degradation to psychological distress, the adverse effects of these ugly behaviors are well-documented. In Islam, engaging in such activities is not only considered sinful but also harmful to one’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Research does show that pornographic content has the potential to stimulate a user’s brain in ways that resemble addictive brain patterns. For this reason, it goes hand in hand with masturbation as an alternative means to gratify and fulfill one’s carnal desires. This misleads people suffering from porn addiction to demonstrate a psychological phenomenon called incentive salience.

For sure, many people struggle with this ‘porndemic’ anomaly in silence and for this reason, it’s incumbent to address it outrightly. In this piece, we shall explore the detrimental effects of pornography and masturbation from an Islamic viewpoint. With highlights on the spiritual, psychological, and physical harms associated with these behaviors, emphasis will also be laid on the importance of quitting them for the well-being of individuals and society. At the same time, we’d offer practical strategies for overcoming these habits in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The Harmful Effects of Pornography and Masturbation

The addictive nature of pornography and masturbation can have serious impacts on individuals in various aspects of their lives, including emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially, and psychologically. Let’s examine ten negative effects this problem can cause, often without individuals realizing it.

1. Spiritual Degradation: Pornography consumption leads to a weakening of one’s faith and spirituality, distancing individuals from Allah and diminishing their connection to faith. It puts you in a state of heedlessness such that you forget that Allah is watching you and the angels are recording your deeds.
2. Physical Consequences: While you may find some research laying claim to masturbation not leading to erectile dysfunction, it’s just their way of encouraging you to wallow in this sinful act. I have had first-hand experience with clients narrating how over-dependence on it has killed their marital relationship. Excessive masturbation deteriorates your health, causing premature ejaculation, body weakness, and fatigue.
3. Decrease in Emotional Health and Self-Image: Addiction to pornography and masturbation makes it more difficult for you to think about marriage and settling down. The more you desire pleasure from self and screen, the less you aspire to have an intimate connection with a spouse, leading to emotional distraction and breakdown.
4. Guilt and Shame: Masturbation often results in feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem, causing emotional distress and inner turmoil. This sometimes leads to a feeling of disgust and hatred for oneself after perpetrating the evil act.
5. Objectification of Women: Pornography reinforces the idea of viewing women as objects solely for sexual pleasure, diminishing their value, dignity, and worth. This repugnant attitude could lead to compulsive behavior and turning into violence against women. Imagine if you had a sister or daughter, would you like her to be viewed from this lens?
6. Lack of confidence: Over-reliance on this bad behavior of masturbation and pornography makes you lose confidence in yourself. You’re unable to see things through successfully or stick to a plan while remaining focused and disciplined. This will tell a lot about your psychological well-being leading to anxiety, depression, and withdrawal syndrome.
7. Waste of time, energy, and life: Your life is a summation of time and how you utilize it. Millions of seconds are wasted consuming lewd content. Then you fap to ejaculate, releasing a form of energy from your body down the drain. The more you do this, the weaker you become, wasting your sperm cells that should be preserved for procreation.
8. Financial Bankruptcy: While a lot of pornographic content may be free, there are also paid platforms for escorts and live displays for premium members. These types of subscriptions can cost anywhere from $10–100 per month. This is no doubt a means of wasting one’s wealth which you’d be accountable for before Allah.
9. Relationship Dysfunction: Pornography consumption has certainly led to a breakdown in intimate relationships, leading to unrealistic expectations and infidelity. Some men will want their wives to replicate scenes they have in their heads stored from porn episodes. In the course of compiling this article, I came across the story of a 70-year-old man whose family life became ruined owing to this addiction.
10. Obsessive Addiction on Brain Cells: Reliance on pornography and masturbation has the potential to stimulate your brain in ways that resemble addictive brain patterns. This triggers the brain to release dopamine overload and activate Delta FosB — a molecule that regulates the reward system in your brain, thereby creating new neuro-pathways owing to overstimulation. The more you engage in porn and masturbation, the more difficult it is for this switch to go off, leading to addiction and rewiring of the brain.

Why You Need to Quit Before it’s Too Late

After establishing the harmful effects of these acts, some might still want to argue that there are some benefits in deriving pleasure from it. Like with many vices such as gambling and alcohol consumption, the adverse effects outweigh the benefits. Therefore, it is very important to desist from it before it’s too late. These are some more reasons why you need to quit right now:

• It is essential for preserving your faith and maintaining a strong connection with Allah.
• By abstaining from these behaviors, you’re upholding your dignity and honor as a true vicegerent of Allah.
• Stopping pornography and masturbation leads to emotional healing, increased self-respect, and improved mental health.
• Quitting these habits fosters healthier and more fulfilling relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and intimacy.
• You don’t know when you will die and surely, you wouldn’t want these scripts laid before you on your scroll. Hence, there’s a dire need for repentance now.

Suggested Ways on How to Quit

It is insufficient to discuss the ills of pornography and masturbation without proferring solutions on how to overcome them. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, you might have to try other options if one doesn’t work for you. Here are a few suggestions in no particular order:

• Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, seeking His forgiveness and guidance in overcoming these sins. This is the most important step!
• Hold yourself accountable for your actions, and have strong convictions not to return to these sins. This begins with a strong mindset and willpower. Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable and evaluate yourselves before you are evaluated, for the Reckoning will be easier upon you tomorrow if you hold yourselves accountable today.”

• Redirect your energy by replacing these negative habits with positive ones, such as exercise, journaling, community service, and constructive activities.
• Develop self-discipline through regular fasting, self-reflection, and mindfulness. This is a journey that may take time to overcome, so don’t give up on yourself even when you fall short.
• Avoid the Triggers! A trigger is anything that leads to sexual thoughts. Identify and avoid those things that lead to pornography consumption or masturbation. These include idle web browsing, movies, social media content, music, lonely times, and even unlawful gazes around. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

• Get married if you have the means. This will afford you good companionship and the ability to satisfy your lust fairly without committing sins. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ admonished us thus:

“O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a shield for him.” — Bukhari and Muslim

• Engage in acts of worship such as prayer, Quran recitation, and supplication to strengthen your spiritual resolve. One of the scholars even recommends that you pray two units prayer whenever this negative thought comes to your mind.

And establish the prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do. — Qur’an 29[Al-Ankabut]:45

• Always be mindful of Allah, especially when you’re in seclusion. Know that He is All-Seeing, All-Hearing, and All-Knowing! Remember the angels are recording your deeds, would you like to see these scenes replayed to you on the last day? You may also have reminders like this posted in your room or areas where you get caught in the act.

• Repel the thoughts to masturbate or watch porn whenever it comes to your mind. Seek refuge with Allah away from the evil whispers. Do not entertain curiosity because it will only lead you into a rabbit hole and kill the cat.
• Finally, it’s important to seek mental health support if you have become so addicted beyond the aforementioned solutions. Go for counseling to address underlying psychological issues that you may be battling with. You don’t have to go around telling everyone about this, only open up to someone you’re certain can help you overcome this challenge. This is a good support group online — Purify Your Gaze!

PS: Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by Allah’s Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path. Do subscribe to Jum’ah Nugget to get our subsequent publication in sha Allah!

Yaumul Jumah 2nd Dhul Qadah 1445H // Friday 10th May 2024

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