Rejection of Sin and Gratitude for Well-being
I recently shared a segment about pornography addiction in which I expressed my genuine shock and deep sorrow. How can a Muslim who bears witness to God’s oneness and to the prophethood of His Messenger peace be upon him possibly gaze upon such obscenity? How can he use the gift of sight, which God has created, for what angers God, without feeling shame before Him?
One sister commented, “Dr. Iyad, do not say that I am shocked by this sin. Instead, say: ‘Praise be to God who has spared us from what He has tested them with and favored us over many of His creation.’”
Truly, my brothers and sisters, this comment deserves reflection. First, yes, praise be to God who has spared us. Praise be to God, then praise be to God again. I seek refuge in God from attributing steadfastness or strength to myself. By God, there is no power or strength except through God, and I cannot do without my Lord for the blink of an eye. Yet there is another meaning here that must not be overlooked: gratitude for well-being does not mean we should downplay the ugliness of sin. And mercy toward the sinner does not mean we should portray him as if he has lost all free will.
When a Muslim falls into a grave sin such as this, we say to him, “Fear God and abandon it immediately.” We say this with pain, compassion, and firmness—not with arrogance or wonder. It is not correct for us to spread the idea that salvation from this heinous sin can only come through a long journey, a lengthy program, specialists, and gradual steps—as if the servant is incapable of leaving it right away.
Consider the state of the Companions. They were forbidden from praying while intoxicated, yet wine was otherwise unaddressed and stored in their homes in large quantities. When its prohibition was revealed, they abandoned it immediately without delay, pouring it out into the streets—even though quitting alcohol addiction is medically more difficult than quitting pornography.
Yes, we call those trapped in this sin to join recovery programs to help them abandon the sin, to understand the devil’s entry points, and to prevent them from returning to this heinous sin. But we do not present these programs as proof that they are incapable of repenting immediately.
Responding to God’s Command
When God Almighty commands repentance, He does not make it a delayed project. He says:
“O you who have believed, respond to God and to the Messenger when He calls you to what gives you life.”
And He says:
“And turn to God all together, O believers, so that you may succeed.”
He commands that you abandon the forbidden now. Know that, by God’s help, you are able to abandon it now. God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since He has tasked you with immediate repentance, you are capable of it—not by your own strength, but by the strength of God, who answers the desperate when they call upon Him.
Balance Between Mercy and Firmness
Now, if someone returns to this grave sin, do we say then that the door of repentance is closed? No. We will help and support your struggle, but we will not sugarcoat your remaining in the mire.
Balance is required: no wonder at obedience, no justification of sin. Do not despair the sinner, but do not allow mercy to weaken the meaning of moral responsibility. To You, God, belongs all praise for sparing us. We ask You to grant well-being to every sinner. Peace.