“If Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) were to visit our homes today, would we be proud of what he sees?”
This powerful question set the tone for “Healing the Gaze: Reclaiming Purity in the Digital Age”, a one-day event featuring Shaykh Wael Ibrahim. It was a much-needed conversation about a silent but growing crisis within our ummah: pornography addiction and its impact on our hearts, minds, and connection with Allah (s.w.t.).
The Crisis No One Talks About
The statistics are deeply concerning.
- 81% of Malaysian youth between 18-30 have been intentionally exposed to porn.
- 75% of Malaysian teenagers have watched it.
- Malaysia ranks #1 in Asia and #4 globally for visits to adult websites.
Most of those who watched adult videos knew that it was wrong and wanted to quit. However, many suffer silently. They were weighed down by guilt, shame, and fear. Some are afraid they will be judged, rejected, or labelled a hypocrite. Shaykh Wael reminded us clearly: struggling doesn’t make you a hypocrite. It means you are still fighting.
The Eyes, The Heart & The Soul
In Islam, the heart is the spiritual engine of the body. When the eyes consume harmful content, the heart becomes clouded. Over time, this affects your connection with Allah (s.w.t.). You will feel distant, heavy, and lost.
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ (٣٠) وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (٣١)
O Prophet! Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. (30) And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests and not reveal their hidden adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those bondwomen in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful. (31)
(Surah An-Nur, 24:30-31)
Shaykh Wael emphasised that the media we consume today isn’t neutral. It shapes our values, erodes our fitrah, and weakens our spiritual resolve. But there’s hope.
Healing is Possible. And It Starts with Tawbah.
True repentance isn’t just crying after a sin. It means turning back to Allah (s.w.t.) with a clear purpose. It means planning, changing your environment and knowing your triggers. It means walking away from sin and towards your authentic self.
The 3 R’s of Recovery
Shaykh Wael shared a practical framework for breaking free:
- Routine – Structure your day. An addicted mind thrives on chaos. Healing thrives on discipline.
- Rewiring – Avoid triggers and practise sabr.
- Repentance – Sincere tawbah with a real plan to never go back.
And most importantly, protect your environment.
- No internet devices in bedrooms.
- Set limits on screen time.
- Create homes filled with iman and connection.
The Path Forward: A Pure Heart Meets A Clear Gaze
Islam encourages us to guard our eyes, preserve our hearts, and protect our minds. This is not to restrict us but to free us from what dims our soul. Shaykh Wael reminded us that desire is not evil, but it is a test. And that test can lead to great reward when channelled the right way.
Let’s take the steps toward healing together. One gaze. One habit. One du’a’ at a time.
