Watching haram stuff is a common temptation that many Muslims succumb to due to the availability of the internet, mobile phones, and computers. Indulging in such sinful behaviors damages our moral, mental, and social well-being.
Islam has a comprehensive approach to overcoming such activities through various spiritual and practical guidelines. One of the most noteworthy guidelines involves seeking Allah’s forgiveness and committing not to repeat the sin.
Also, practicing regular prayer and lowering the eyes, as commanded in Surah An-Nur (24:30-31), symbolizes a spiritual commitment to protect the heart from impure influences.
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We will discuss all Islamic guidelines on how to stop watching haram stuff so that every Muslim can benefit from them and improve their relationship with Allah.
How to Stop Watching Haram Stuff: 8 Islamic Guidelines to Follow
To overcome the habit of watching haram content, every Muslim should strive to implement the following guidelines in their daily lives:
- Understand the consequences
- Seeking Allah’s forgiveness
- Lowering the gaze
- Engaging in regular prayer and supplication
- Gain more knowledge and strengthen the Faith
- Install filtering software
- Engage in positive activities
- Fast and exercise self-control
Now we will discuss each guideline in detail with references from the Qur’an and Hadith to strengthen our understanding and emphasize its importance.
1. Understand the Consequences
Understanding the severe consequences of watching Haram content is essential to initiate meaningful change in one’s behavior. Islamic teachings highlight the adverse effects of engaging in forbidden activities on one’s spiritual, psychological, and social well-being.
By realizing the gravity of sin, we can develop a deeper awareness of the harm it causes to our relationship with Allah.
Haram content not only detracts one from the path of righteousness but also pollutes the mind and corrupts the soul. Such consumption can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and spiritual emptiness. Also, it can negatively impact personal relationships, eroding trust and damaging one’s reputation.
Understanding these consequences is essential for breaking free from the cycle of Haram addiction.
2. Seeking Allah’s Forgiveness
Repentance is a fundamental concept in Islam and is essential for anyone who’s engaged in watching Haram content. It involves sincere remorse, a firm intention not to repeat the sin, and a commitment to returning to Allah.
Allah’s mercy is vast, and He forgives all sins when a person sincerely repents. In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says,
قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Seeking Allah’s forgiveness is a powerful way to purify the soul and seek redemption from past mistakes.
3. Lowering the Gaze
In Islam, lowering the gaze is an essential practice in Islam to resist the temptation of watching Haram stuff. As emphasized in Islamic teachings, it’s a physical and spiritual action that symbolizes a commitment to safeguard one’s heart and soul from impure influences.
It serves as a shield against the ‘poisoned arrows of Iblis,’ enabling individuals to avoid the initial stages of sin. The Quranic verse in Surah An-Nur (24:30-31) instructs both believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity.
4. Engage in Regular Prayer and Supplication
The practice of regular prayer and supplication is a vital Islamic practice to strengthen a person’s resolve to abstain from watching Haram content.
Regular prayers, known as Salah, are integral to a Muslim’s worship and spiritual development. We seek guidance, Mercy, and protection from sinful inclinations by establishing a direct connection with Allah.
In Surah, Al-‘Ankabut (29:45) mentions the importance of prayer for deterring indecency and wickedness. In this verse, Allah says:
ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
“Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do.”
Supplication, known as Dua, is another essential aspect of Islamic worship that helps strengthen one’s faith and seek Allah’s protection from all forms of evil. One Dua we can recite to seek protection from committing sins is:
اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَاىَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنْ خَطَايَاىَ كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْنِي مِنْ خَطَايَاىَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ
“O Allah, put a great distance between me and my sins, as great as the distance You have made between the East and the West; O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed from filth; O Allah, wash away my sins with water and snow and hail” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 895)
By regularly engaging in supplication, we acknowledge our dependence on Allah and seek His guidance to overcome temptations.
5. Install Filtering Software
To maintain a Haram-free online environment and safeguard ourselves from inappropriate content, we should install filtering software on our computers. Filtering software acts as a protective barrier, blocking access to haram material and providing an additional layer of support.
By utilizing this software, we can exercise control over our online experiences, ensuring we align with Islamic guidelines.
6. Engage in Positive Activities
Engaging in positive and constructive activities is a proactive step towards overcoming the temptation of watching haram content. Islam emphasizes the importance of filling one’s time with acts of worship, community service, learning, and other productive pursuits.
By immersing ourselves in these activities, we can find fulfillment, purpose, and spiritual growth. Engaging in acts of worship such as prayer, recitation of the Quran, and seeking knowledge strengthens our connection with Allah and is a powerful deterrent against engaging in sinful behavior.
Also, participating in community service and helping others in need benefits society and provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By focusing on positive activities, we can redirect our energy and attention away from haram content and towards actions that bring us closer to Allah and benefit ourselves and others.
7. Fast and Exercise Self-Control
Observing voluntary fasts outside of Ramadan is a powerful means of enhancing self-discipline and resisting the temptations of watching haram content. Fasting isn’t only a physical and spiritual act involving exercising self-control and discipline.
Islam teaches that fasting helps purify the soul, making it more resilient against the temptations of sinful behavior. As mentioned in Sahih Muslim 1400a,
“Alqama reported: While I was walking with ‘Abdullah at Mina, ‘Uthman happened to meet him. He stopped there and began to talk with him. Uthman said to him: Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman, should we not marry you to a young girl who may recall to you some of the past of your bygone days; thereupon he said: If you say so, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: O 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 those who cannot should devote themselves to fasting for it is a means of controlling sexual desire.”
This highlights the effectiveness of fasting in exercising self-control and resisting immoral behavior. Also, regular physical exercise can help release tension and improve mental well-being, making it easier to resist temptations.
Follow Islamic Guidelines to Stop Watching Haram Content and Strengthen Your Spiritual Life
Adopting Islamic guidelines on how to stop watching Haram stuff is pivotal for Muslims seeking spiritual growth and resilience against modern temptations. Understanding the consequences, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, and lowering the gaze are foundational principles.
Engaging in regular prayer, gaining knowledge, installing filtering software, participating in positive activities, and practicing self-discipline through fasting provide a holistic approach.
By implementing these guidelines, Muslims can navigate the challenges of the digital age, protect their spiritual well-being, and strengthen their connection with Allah.
In the pursuit of a righteous and fulfilling life, these guidelines offer a steadfast path towards overcoming the allure of Haram content.
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Sources:
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/22917/how-to-stop-looking-at-porn
https://islamqa.org/hanafi/askimam/124753/trying-to-stop-watching-haram-videos/
https://fiqh.islamonline.net/en/advice-to-overcome-porn-addiction/
https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/87380/avoiding-use-of-the-internet-for-haram-purposes
https://sunnah.com/muslim:1400a
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