🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #38
A spouse is addicted to pornography. What does it do to the marriage, and what can be done?
Pornography is forbidden, and addiction to it often damages intimacy, trust and the other spouse's self-esteem; it can be treated if acknowledged and tackled with help.
Allah commands lowering the gaze and guarding one's private parts (an-Nur 24:30–31), and the Prophet ﷺ said that the zina of the eyes is the gaze (Sahih al-Bukhari 6243). Commonly reported effects: unrealistic sexual expectations, less interest in one's spouse, comparison and secrecy. For the spouse who discovers it: it is not your fault, and you are entitled to feel hurt. For the one addicted: repent, admit it to your spouse, install filters and move devices to shared spaces, identify triggers such as loneliness or stress, and see a counsellor or specialist experienced in addiction. If it involves children, it is a serious crime and must be reported. See Managing impulses and Counselling.
Allah commands lowering the gaze and guarding one's private parts (an-Nur 24:30–31), and the Prophet ﷺ said that the zina of the eyes is the gaze (Sahih al-Bukhari 6243). Commonly reported effects: unrealistic sexual expectations, less interest in one's spouse, comparison and secrecy. For the spouse who discovers it: it is not your fault, and you are entitled to feel hurt. For the one addicted: repent, admit it to your spouse, install filters and move devices to shared spaces, identify triggers such as loneliness or stress, and see a counsellor or specialist experienced in addiction. If it involves children, it is a serious crime and must be reported. See Managing impulses and Counselling.
Sources
Surah an-Nur 24:30Sahih al-Bukhari 6243Surah al-Isra' 17:32