Fatwa ID: 09031
Answered by Mufti Nuski Cassim
Question:
I am 15 years old and currently doing Hifz and studying more with an alim. My problem is that I have a habit of gay porn and masturbation. I do tawbah but break it in some days.still this habit doesn’t leave me. I try my best but it didn’t work for long, 1 week at most. Please I want to do hifz but keep following my desires
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
We make du’a to Allah ﷻ that He cures you of this problem and that He relieves you of this ordeal. Ameen.
It is praiseworthy to hear that you are presently memorising the Qur’an in addition to studying with an ‘alim. This is a great blessing, and a sign that Allah ﷻ has placed you on a path of goodness.
Be that as it may, it will not be permissible for you to continue following your desires—irrespective of whether you pursue hifdh or not—as what you are struggling with is haram and harmful.
That said, continue seeking the forgiveness of Allah ﷻ and do not stop making taubah–even if you relapse again after a few days. Have faith and do not lose hope. Allah’s mercy is greater than your sin, and the door of repentance always remains open.[1] Allah ﷻ says:
قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”—Surah Al-Zumar, verse 53.
While hope should never be lost, it is important to understand that taubah—without adequate measures—is not enough. Practical steps need to be applied. Hence, you must:
1. Completely cut off access to pornographic material.
2. Have restricted phone and internet usage.
3. Avoid isolation with devices–especially at night.
4. Use blocking tools and ensure someone else holds the password.
5. Not engage curiosity.
6. Immediately break the urge to consume material whenever it appears and do not negotiate with the urge.
7. Replace the pattern with structure such as keeping a strong routine of hifdh, study, regular exercise, early sleep and righteous company.
Lastly, do not leave your hifdh because of this struggle; the Qur’an is a means to purify your heart and strengthen your resolve. In addition, keep returning to Allah ﷻ knowing that the doors of repentance remain open, and that change is possible with sincerity and consistent effort.
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Mufti Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
التفسير: {قل ياعبادي الذين أسرفوا على أنفسهم} أخبر يا محمد عبادي المؤمنين الذين أفرطوا في الجناية على أنفسهم بالمعاصي والآثام {لا تقنطوا من رحمة الله} أي لا تيأسوا من مغفرة الله ورحمته {إن الله يغفر الذنوب جميعا} أي إنه تعالى يعفو عن جميع الذنوب لمن شاء، وإن كانت مثل زبد البحر {إنه هو الغفور الرحيم} أي عظيم المغفرة واسع الرحمة، وظاهر الآية أنها دعوة للمؤمنين إلى عدم اليأس من رحمة الله لقوله {ياعبادي} وقال ابن كثير: هي دعوة لجميع العصاة من الكفرة وغيرهم إلى التوبة والإنابة، وإخبار بأن الله يغفر الذنوب جميعا لمن تاب منها ورجع عنها مهما كثرت {وأنيبوا إلى ربكم وأسلموا له} أي ارجعوا إلى الله واستسلموا له
[صفوة التفاسير، الزمر ٥٣، ج. ٣، صفحة ٧٨، دار الصابوني للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع]