What should I do to get rid of masturbation?

Dear valued brother, peace be upon you!

Welcome in (Alukah) Website.

Masturbation is one of the common practices among youth. It is one of the challenges that we should exert effort to face and gain victory over, see the following points:

First, it is necessary to admit the presence of a problem, and admit that we are under pressure to make up our minds, especially in the days of Ramadan, to get rid of this practice and let our motto be: (Ramadan without masturbation).

In the beginning, the matter needs a pressing and deep desire to give up this practice completely. Direct your effort during the coming days to reinforce the desire for abstaining from this practice.

Many youth have failed to get rid of this practice because their determination is not powerful enough.

Second, I believe that the most important weapon, which we should use to face such practice and other bad practices, is to find a goal for us in this life and to search for a project in which we direct our energies and concerns.

Such project should have two conditions:

The first is: To love it and feel happy to spend your time in.

The second is: To have a chance to view your effort and work to others and to be useful for them.

I praise Allah (Glory be to Him) that we live in the time of technology, which opened the door wide for opportunities to participate in building such a project because there are dozens of ideas in this regard. Remember that there is no enemy more dangerous for man than feeling emptiness and valueless.

Third, Continue to do pious and righteous actions and everyday make a record in your field of specialty. There is a unanimous consensus that the relation with Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) and gaining His Pleasure is the real investment for those who want to win the reward of the world and the Hereafter.

Fourth, Good companionship is one of the most important factors in preventing this practice.

People used to say a phrase that should be written in gold: (A companion is a drawer) [meaning: He leads his companion to either good or evil], so pay attention to that and do not be lenient.

As for "It is not my business, I am a good person, I shall not be affected if my friends are bad," these are wrong ideas and may lead a person to destruction.

Fifth, watch out sexual stimuli such as watching porno movies and images. Abstaining from these bad practices shall give you unusual strength and shall abate your sexual desire. Sheikh `Ali At-Tantawy (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) likened sexual desire with a snowball at the top of a mountain, when you move it, it will fall, roll down, and grow bit by bit until it becomes huge and cannot be stopped.

Sixth, There are some important tips:

• Do not go to sleep until you really want to sleep, and avoid sleeping on your belly because this way of sleeping causes sexual arousal because of genital contact with the bed.

• Be careful not to spend a long time alone.

Finally, the matter needs a strong will and a determination, not to give up in case of failure, and give up gradually day after another, then you will have a strong power to face it.