Q: How can a Muslim ward off the desires to commit Zina (sexual intercourse outside marriage) or masturbation? What is the difference between those who do these things and those who avoid them? What is the best way to help me perform Salah (Prayer) regularly, as I sometimes pray and sometimes do not?

A: The main things that keep a Muslim away from doing these prohibited acts is fear of Allah, hoping for the Blessings He has in store for His Obedient Servants, and fearing the Fire He has for the disobedient. When a Muslim knows his Lord - in the true sense of knowing - as the One and Only Lord, Omniscient about all of mankind and their inward secrets; the All-Powerful and Invincible; the One able to do all things; the All-Knowing, Who encompasses everything in His knowledge, Who has created mankind in this world to worship and obey Him, and made it a trial to test people, with those who follow Allah’s Orders and avoid His Prohibitions entering Paradise and those who violate His Orders and commit His Prohibitions being cast in the Fire. The blessings of Paradise are everlasting and the punishment in Hellfire is unbearable. When a Muslim recognizes these facts, they start to fear Allah and hope for what He has. As for your question, you must avoid the things that stimulate these desires, such as going to places where there is nudity, singing, music, and looking at women. You should try to keep to the company of righteous people and busy yourself with what benefits you in this world and in the Hereafter. (Part No. 18; Page No. 38) Try reading some useful books, such as “Riyad Al-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous)”, and recite the Qur’an often. Anyone who abstains from these acts of disobedience will be rewarded and will have their rank raised in the Hereafter. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There are seven (people) whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there will be no shade other than His Shade...” among which are “a young person who grew up worshipping Allah, and a man who is seduced by a woman of high standing and beauty but he says, ‘I fear Allah’.” As for not performing Salah, this is Kufr (disbelief) in Allah, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The covenant that is between us and them (the hypocrites) is Salah. Anyone who abandons it has committed Kufr.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.