Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

One of the effects or benefits of prayer, as stated in the Qur’an, is that it restrains a person from committing despicable sins.

“And recite to them the revelations communicated to you and be constant in prayer: for, behold, prayer restrains [man] from loathsome deeds and from all that are indecent or abominable, and remembrance of God is indeed the greatest [good]. And God knows all that you do.” (Al-`Ankabut 29: 45)

 

And the Prophet (peace be upon him) compared the effect of prayer in the life of a believer to that of five times bathing in fresh water. It should rid his person of all spiritual filth and impurities.

 

Therefore, if you have been praying, as you should, while cherishing true mindfulness of Allah, it should prevent you from repeatedly falling into sins of fornication.

 

If it does, then it is time for you to know that your soul is indeed becoming sick; and you need to treat it. In order to motivate yourself to stay clear of sins, you may do well to visualize the fact that Allah is watching you; and since we never know when death will overtake us, imagine what awaits you if you were to die in a state of sins.

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A wise person is one who subdues his carnal soul and works for the life after death; while a foolish person is he who follows his passion and yet vainly  hopes for Allah’s forgiveness.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Verily, God’s acceptance of repentance relates only to those who do evil out of ignorance and then repent before their time runs out:  and it is they unto whom God will turn again in His mercy – for God is all-knowing, wise;  whereas repentance shall not be accepted from those who do evil deeds until their dying hour and then say,  “Behold, I now repent”; nor from those who die as deniers of the truth: it is these for whom We have readied grievous suffering.” (An-Nisaa’  4:17-18)

 

I pray to Allah to grant us sincere repentance before the angel of death visits us.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.