Overcoming a disaster is sometimes easier said than done….
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was late at night when I received a call from Egypt while I was in my bed in Hong Kong City. It was my sister. I was surprised that she was calling at this time. All she said was, “Don’t worry my brother, father is looking good” – I didn’t understand what she meant immediately, so I responded very slowly as I sensed in her voice an aftermath of tears of sadness and grief. I slowly asked her,“Is he alright?”
She paused for a while and I heard her exhale deeply. Then with a heavy and shivering voice, she said, “He passed away”.
It was then that I understood what Allah meant by calling death a disaster in the Qur’an 5:106. Sometimes we just read the Quran but don’t grasp what it actually says unless we ourselves experience it. The news of my father’s demise was not easy on my heart to bear. Yes I have accepted Allah’s destiny, yes I remembered all the supplications that I should recite during these occasions, but the pain of separation was a disastrous.
THIS is exactly how it feels when you are stuck within the cycle of pornography. A disastrous feeling. Every moment a bit of you dies inside…
In this article I will be discussing a few tips on how can we overcome this disaster of pornography. These tips are very essential and could offer you a fast recovery from compulsive sexual behavior if followed perfectly. However they are not guaranteed methods, as the cure to overcome pornography addiction should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. So the cure from pain, disasters and addiction is very possible, but might not be that simple. You cannot just be a bystander, you have to be an active participant to win this game.
3 Game-Changers
The fact of pornography and its addictive nature is no longer a theory. The overwhelming number of people who are seeking help to overcome their addiction is sufficient evidence to prove that pornography is one of the most destructive and disastrous drugs of our time. But what can we do to feel better and go back to the path of purity? Here are some practical tips that can help in many ways InshaAllah
- Fill your daily scheduled
There is no other ways for you to overcome your addiction better than getting busy with beneficial activities. Boredom and free time are the most negative triggers for anyone to relapse and go back to undesirable behaviors. Make sure to sit for a while after you wake up and write down activities so that you have a busy schedule. Even when you are a bit down, depressed and craving for porn, a productive and busy schedule could help divert your attention from what is wrong.
Remember, the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم told us: “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time” [Al Bukhari 6049]
Triggers are normally activated when you are not busy, and as a result you end up watching Pornography that would later consume your health bit by bit. So, busy yourself with A LOT of beneficial activities. You could volunteer at your masjid, local center, orphanage or pursue a hobby. Anything that you enjoy.
- Flipping the Focus:
Many a times I hear from addicts phrases similar to, “I am worthless”, “ashamed of myself”, “hypocrite” and so on. You see, we have already learnt that pornography causes depression and anxiety, so torturing yourself with phrases like these won’t help you in anyway.
So instead, flip your focus and convert the negative into positive. You can do that by remembering that you are not standing where you have been earlier, rather, you have come a long way forward and will never go back to the same place ever again. Even if you fell backwards, you are still in a better place than before. By reading this article and seeking some tips to overcome your struggle is a sign that you are much much better than before. So stay focused on your goals and flip your negative feelings into positive. Your being positive could help others around you too.
- Striking Reminders:
Imagine yourself browsing pornography websites and all of a sudden the Angel of Death visits you! Imagine him telling you that your time is up on Earth and your deeds have come to an end.
Imagine yourself crying and shouting out loud “…My Lord, send me back” (Qur’an 23:99), imagine him ignoring your cries and snatching your soul out of your body.
Imagine dying while watching porn!
Would you like to meet Allah in that position?
Because we were informed by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم that whoever dies on something will be resurrected on it – So what are the chances for you to die doing something good if you keep going back to pornography?
So hang around in your room some striking reminders of death, the reality that it could strike any moment. Hang stickers on your computer, next to your bed, everywhere around your room, print verses and narrations that would remind you of the destroyer of all pleasures. DEATH.
Remember, you can overcome your addiction, human beings have proven to do harder works than addiction, however the path towards recovery might not so easy. So struggle a bit to enjoy an everlasting bliss.
