Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Is watching pornographic movies a kind of zinā (fornication/ adultery) in Islam?
Answer:
In the name of God, Most Kind, Most Merciful
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
Yes, watching pornographic material is a form of fornication (zinā) which is not only prohibited and sinful in Islam but also harmful and detrimental to one’s spirituality and physical well-being.
“Success is really attained by the believers …. who guard their private parts except from their wives or from those (bondwomen who are) owned by their hands, as they are not to be blamed. However, those who seek (sexual pleasure) beyond that, are the transgressors.” (Qur’ān 23:1-7)
“The ‘zinā’ of the eyes is the sight [to gaze at a forbidden matter].” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Remember the principle, ‘What is forbidden to touch is also forbidden to see and vice versa’.
May Allāh Almighty keep us all protected with morality, modesty and guidance.
And Allah Knows Best.