Fornication and Forgiveness

I am a 53-year-old male, married with four children, and have committed fornication with prostitutes. Would you please tell me what I can do to seek forgiveness from Allah?

Dear questioner,

The first most important thing to realize is that this is a grave sin, and it has a lot of serious matters attached to it.

It is imperative that you truly repent. Regret for the sake of Allah what you have done. Make a firm resolve never to commit this evil act ever again. Take proper steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again; perhaps you seek some therapy of why you resorted to this. Consult a professional if this continues-God forbid.

One should always know that Allah forgives all sins, and one should never fall into despair. Allah, Most High, says in the Quran,

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” [Quran, 39: 53]

“Whoever does evil or wrongs their soul, then seeks the pardon of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” [Quran, 4:110]

I would advise that you reflect deeply on why this occurred. Is it because your wife is not intimate with you? Is it because you are addicted to pornography, and therefore those were the first steps that led you down this path? If you need intimacy and satisfy your sexual desires, then your wife should help you with that.

Consider this advice and seek help if this continues.

Sometimes, things get worse, and a person may contract diseases and pass that on to their spouse and many other dangers that follow that route. Imagine the hurt your family will experience if they found out.

Consider the severe punishment of Allah that might be waiting for one who transgresses against His commands.

Insha Allah, when you reflect deeply on those matters, it will make you realize how ugly fornication is. Allah has the best rewards in there hereafter for those who are patient in this world.

Pray two cycles [rakats] of Salat Tawbah [the prayer of repentance] and make a sincere heartfelt dua and beg Allah to guide you and forgive you. After that, you can increase in your worship, keep the company of the righteous, and follow a spiritual path that will bring light into your life. May Allah bless you and grant you complete success in their approach to change and repentance.

Imam Yama Niazi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani