Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
Suppose I masturbate, wash my private parts, perform my daily prayers, and repent to Allah. Will He forgive me if I do not miss any prayer?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
It is good that you realized the reprehensibility of masturbating. It is a major sin and has many spiritual, mental, emotional, and social harms.
Repentance
As for repentance from masturbating, this will primarily depend on the fulfillment of the conditions of true, and sincere repentance.
The conditions of repentance are three:
- Remorse
- Desisting from the sin
- Intending to never return to the sin
If one fulfills these three conditions, the door of repentance is open, and Allah Most High will certainly forgive them. [Imam Nawawi, Riyadh al-Salihin]
Addiction
Masturbation is proven to be addictive. Although a person may want to quit, they may find it difficult. If this is the case, one should take the following means:
- Protect the eyes from looking at anything impermissible.
- Protect the mind from thinking of anything that will stir the desires
- Protect the stomach from consuming impermissible foods that increase desire, such as meat and over-eating. [Imam Ghazali, Beginning of Guidance]
After that, you should strive to keep your heart busy in the remembrance of Allah Most High. Keeping company with righteous people will undoubtedly aid the heart in this regard.
Lastly, one should constantly turn to Allah Most High is prayer and supplication.
Hope this helps
Allah A’lam
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani