Struggling with Porn and Masturbation as a 24M Practicing Muslim

I’m a 24-year-old male, a practicing Muslim, unmarried, and a virgin. My faith is an important part of my life, and I strive to live by its principles, but I’ve been struggling with something that feels like it’s pulling me further away from who I want to be: porn and masturbation.

What started as curiosity years ago has now become something I feel I have no control over. It’s not about the availability of real relationships—I know I could pursue sex if I wanted to.

I’ve tried so many times to quit. I’ve set rules, prayed for strength, and told myself “this is the last time,” but I keep falling back into the same pattern. It feels like a cycle I can’t break, and the frustration can be overwhelming.

I wish I had never discovered these things in the first place. They feel like chains I didn’t ask for, but now I’m trying to break free from. I know I’m not alone in this, and I know there are others who’ve felt this way and found a way out.

If you’ve been through something similar or managed to overcome it, I’d love to hear your story. How did you rebuild your strength, discipline, and self-control? How do you find a healthier relationship with yourself, your faith, and your desires?

I don’t want this habit to define me anymore. I just want to feel free again—to live a life aligned with my values and faith.