Is Watching Pornographic Videos Considered Zina?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I looked at pornographic material, and there was some pre-ejaculation, but I did not masturbate. Does this count as Zina, or did it break the purification period of refraining from haram with the private parts?
Answer
First, I commend you for restraining yourself to some extent while viewing this material. Continued ejaculations brought on by porn can result in bad habits for the body and make it difficult when one is married.
However, viewing this material is still prohibited (haram) but does not count as fornication.
See this link for the meaning of Zina (fornication):
Does Penetration by Mistake Constitute Zina? (Shafi’i)
Does the Skin to Skin Contact of the Private Parts Amount to Fornication?
I am unsure what you mean by breaking the “period of refraining from the haram.” One needs to refrain from this haram for one’s whole life and will get the reward for finding a lawful means to fulfilling one’s desire. Any restraint before marriage will make one a stronger believer and complete man. Find solace and mercy in the following hadith:
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “When it occurs to my bondsman that he should do a good deed, but he does not do it, record one good to him, but if he puts it into practice, I make an entry of ten good acts in his favor. When it occurs to him to do evil, but he does not commit it, I forgive that. But if he saves it, I record one sin against his name.” The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “The angels said, ‘That bondsman of Yours intends to commit evil. However, His Lord is more Vigilant than he. Upon this, He (the Lord) said, Watch him; if he commits (sin), write it against his name but if he refrains from doing it, write one good deed or him, for he desisted from doing it for My sake.” The Messenger of Allah said: “He who amongst you is good of faith, all his good acts are multiplied from ten to seven hundred times (and are recorded in his name), and all the evils that he commits are recorded as such (i,e. without increase) till he meets Allah.” [Muslim]
Please see the following links to help you overcome pornography.
- A Reader on Pornography and Masturbation
- How Can I Wean Myself off From Porn?
- I Am Addicted to Pornography. What Do I Do?
- How Can I Wake up for Fajr and Overcome Pornography Addiction?
May Allah Most High reward you for doing your best and seeking to ease your relationship with Allah.
[Ustadh] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
