Protecting the Gaze: The dangers of pornography and the Islamic call to purity

In an age where digital access is nearly limitless, one of the most pressing moral and spiritual challenges facing our youth and wider Muslim communities is the widespread consumption of pornography.

With smartphones in every pocket and the internet accessible at all times, the temptation to fall into this sin is more prevalent than ever. As an imam with over 12 years of experience working closely with young people and adults, I have seen firsthand the damage this addiction can cause—emotionally, spiritually, and socially.

What I write below aims to shed light on the dangers of pornography from an Islamic perspective, highlight the importance of protecting the gaze, and offer guidance rooted in the Qur’an, Hadith, and the wisdom of the scholars. Through this, I hope that if even one person is saved from this affliction it will be ‘mission accomplished’.

There are 7 factors to keep in mind when it comes to tackling pornography, and I will aim to illustrate them in a way which is easy to understand and where there are lessons and action points, to make it easy to adopt and act upon these points.

1. The command to lower the gaze
One of the fundamental principles in Islam regarding sexual morality is the command to lower the gaze. Allah – exalted is He – commands in the Qur’an: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:30)

And He follows this with a similar command to women: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts…” (Surah An-Nur, 24:31)

These verses make it abundantly clear that guarding one’s eyes is the first step in guarding one’s chastity. The eye is the window to the soul, and what we look at can plant seeds in the heart that grow into desires, thoughts, and eventually actions.

Pornography, by its very nature, is a violation of this divine instruction.
These two verses are not just a set of rules; they offer a divine strategy for preserving the heart. Lowering the gaze is mentioned before guarding the private parts because the gaze is the gateway. What enters through the eyes can penetrate the heart, stirring desires that—if left unchecked—can lead to sin. ‘The eyes are the scouts of the heart’

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained this danger clearly when he said: “The eyes commit zina, and their zina is the gaze. The hands commit zina, and their zina is touching. The feet commit zina, and their zina is walking (toward sin). The heart desires and wishes, and the private parts confirm or deny it.”(Sahih Muslim)

This hadith outlines how sin can begin with a simple look. The eyes scout, the heart desires, the body follows—and then, unless one intervenes early, a person may fall into a major sin.

That is why Islam emphasises prevention before cure. Guarding the eyes is not about fear or shame; it is about nurturing purity, protecting dignity, and honouring the soul. The heart, when exposed repeatedly to images of lust and immodesty, becomes desensitised to spiritual beauty. It begins to crave what is forbidden and loses its taste for the sweetness of worship.

2. The heart is the target

Continuing on from the last point, the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned about the destructive influence of the eyes: “The eyes commit zina, and their zina is looking…” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

This hadith is powerful in that it equates lustful glances to a form of zina (fornication), emphasising how even the act of looking with desire is a major sin. When someone repeatedly engages in viewing haram content, it desensitises the heart, diminishes the light of faith, and increases lust.
Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said: “Looking leads to thoughts, thoughts lead to desires, desires lead to will, and will leads to actions. If the gaze is not controlled, it becomes a path to destruction.” Thus, protecting the gaze is not just a formality but a necessary defence against the spiritual diseases of the heart.

3. The psychological and social dangers of pornography
When Allah makes something impermissible, He does so for a reason. He created us, so He knows best what is good for us and what will harm us. When it comes to the destructive nature of pornography consumption, secular studies have confirmed what Islam has always taught: pornography is deeply harmful.

Research shows that regular consumption of porn leads to addiction, depression, decreased sensitivity to real-life relationships, and distorted views of intimacy and gender. Many individuals report feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, and anxiety due to their addiction.

Furthermore, it damages marriages. Many spouses feel betrayed when they discover their partner consumes such material, leading to trust issues and emotional distance. This is not merely a private sin; it is one that harms families and communities. I myself have dealt with numerous cases where a marriage is falling apart because one of the spouses is addicted to pornography and understandably, their spouse views it as a form of infidelity and cheating.

4. A tool of Shaytan
Allah says: “Indeed, Shaytan commands you to immorality and wrongdoing and to say about Allah what you do not know.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:169)

Shaytan seeks to lead people into sin gradually. Pornography is one of his most effective traps today. It starts with a glance, then curiosity, then addiction. Shaytan beautifies the sin and downplays its seriousness, whispering that it’s harmless, victimless, or even normal. What doesn’t help is the plethora of so-called experts and even educators claiming it is normal for a young child to ‘explore’ these things as they grow up.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us: “Indeed, there is a piece of flesh in the body; if it is sound, the whole body is sound. And if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Verily, it is the heart.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Pornography corrupts the heart and turns people away from Allah.

5. The purity of the early generations
We are a nation with a rich history. Thousands and thousands of our early Muslims embodied the type of purity and chastity the world desperately needs today. The early Muslims were models of chastity and self-control. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) was so pure that the Prophet said: “Should I not be shy of a man before whom the angels are shy?” (Sahih Muslim)

The great Imam Al-Ghazali emphasised that guarding the senses is essential for spiritual growth. He wrote:
“The eye is the courier of the heart. Its gaze is the arrow of Shaytan.”

By shielding their eyes and hearts, the salaf (pious predecessors) were able to maintain an unshakable connection with their Lord.

6. Practical steps to combat pornography
The sincere and earnest person will at this point want to know how they can save themselves from this sin if they have fallen into it. We know that Islam is not just about prohibitions; it is a religion of healing and guidance. For those who have fallen into this habit, there is always a path back to Allah.
Sincere Tawbah (Repentance): Allah says: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.'” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)
Repent sincerely and return to Allah. Make a firm intention never to return to the sin.
Guard the environment: Install internet filters, use accountability software, and avoid times or places where temptation is stronger. Don’t underestimate the power of shunning bad company and engaging with righteous people. The environment and changing it possibly one of the most important point in beginning the journey of escape from this addiction.
Increase in worship: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting is a shield.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Voluntary fasting, regular prayer, and Qur’an recitation strengthen the soul and weaken desires.

Seek professional help if needed: There is no shame in seeking counselling, especially if the addiction is severe. The aim is to become better Muslims and servants of Allah.
Replace the habit with beneficial acts: Engage in hobbies, sports, da’wah, or volunteering. An idle mind is Shaytan’s playground. I have been a huge proponent of youngsters having full-time hobbies and interests as this will save them from a world of sin.

7. Building a culture of modesty and accountability
Parents, teachers, and community leaders must foster a culture of modesty (haya) and openness. Our youth need spaces where they can speak without fear of judgment and receive guidance grounded in compassion and wisdom.

We must speak about these issues in our khutbahs, halaqas, and youth circles. Silence only pushes people further into the darkness. Many people complain that the talks in their local masjid is usually irrelevant. We are in a position of trust. It is our responsibility to speak on those topics which are affecting our communities. We must have a holistic approach to our classes and lessons. What will benefit the community? What is the problem which they are all facing? What is the latest attack on Islam? All of these points should be factored into our planning.

Conclusion
The consumption of pornography is a major spiritual disease that darkens the heart and distances the servant from his Lord. Yet Allah’s mercy is vast, and His door is always open. By lowering our gaze, guarding our hearts, and turning to Him in sincerity, we can overcome this test.

Let us remind ourselves and our communities that true satisfaction and peace are not found in fleeting images on a screen, but in the remembrance of Allah and in obeying His commands: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28)

May Allah protect our eyes, purify our hearts, and make us among those who are honoured with His light on the Day when no shade exists but His.

Ameen.