Who can save me of this loss?

Question

As-salamu `Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!).

My dear Muslim brothers, I am 16 years old. I started to exercise masturbation (may Allah protect you) a year ago and I believe I exercised it about 500 times. I feel that my body has become feeble and my heart has become cruel. I know that what I am doing is wrong and I have been trying to get rid of this bad habit eight months ago, but I could not stand as if Satan has been controlling me.

I have searched the net for many ways to get rid of that habit; I tried by fasting but as soon as the day ends I go back to my previous condition.

I did not leave any article on the Internet about getting rid of that bad habit but I read. I started to have a problem in my genitals and it seems that I will not go back to my previous conditions.

I seek your help to rescue me, I need your help. My life has become a hell because of this habit. Could you kindly help me?

I came to you seeking a new solution and I did not come to hear the solutions I had heard before. I tried to eat foods that do not arouse the desire but I could not.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, his Companions, and those who follow them.

Dear honorable brother, Welcome to Alukah Network.

Know that Allah (may he be glorified and exalted) never destined a disease without a cure, but the problem lies in finding those who know that cure.

And whoever contemplates the conditions of the repentant finds that most of them used to say the same as you. Some of them corrected themselves, strengthened their faith to repent, and devoted intention to get rid of that habit and those are helped by Allah. On the other hand, some of them were weak-kneed, faint-hearted, and weak before temptations and trials and those people remained captives of their desires and lusts. Indeed, Satan has achieved his final end of them which is delivering them to despair of repairing themselves and they may die on that case. So, watch out and be careful not to let Allah see you while committing a prohibited matter and know that worldly desires are temporary, fun is momentary, and the hereafter is better and everlasting. Moreover, lusts elapse followed by pain and sorrow and a person will not wake up but after death when he sees his sheets of deeds are filled with wrong acts, at that time he will regret in a time where no regret will avail.

Hence, we advise you to repair your heart first until it becomes strong and could resist desires by keeping away from sins, maintaining time by Dhikr (remembering Allah), reciting the Qur'an, asking for forgiveness, accompanying good people, keeping away from heedless people, lowering the gaze, and keeping away from stimuli that move lusts.

Furthermore, avoid loneliness and free time as much as you can, feel that Allah watches you all the time, and finally beseech Allah to drive you away from evils, sins, and disobedience, make faith most dear to you and adorn it in your heart. If you do so and your intention is sincere, your heart will become lenient and your strength will become stronger and will, in turn help you to abandon sins. Allah (Exalted be He) compared the tree of monotheism in the heart to the good and well-rooted tree that goes high in the sky and gives out its fruits every now and then. Therefore, whoever has oneness established in his heart and his heart is characterized by, his heart is in harmony with his tongue, and his organs subjected to Allah will be revived.

This tree should be watered and maintained otherwise it will become weak and dry up, likewise the tree of Islam which should be maintained by useful knowledge, frequent pious work, and remembering Allah. It was reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad on the authority of Abu Hurayrah who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, faith becomes weak in the heart as an old garment decays, so renew your faith."

In general, if plants are not tendered and maintained by its owner, it is about to perish, hence you know the need of a person to the acts of worship which Allah ordained upon people and realize the great mercy of Allah and His Great Benefit and Favor over His Servants.

For more benefit, you may refer to the following consultations: "I think that sexual harassment is of minor harm, do I have a problem? what should I do to get rid of masturbation?, getting rid of masturbation."

We ask Allah to purify your heart, protect your private parts, and turn away harm from you. Amen!