Porn Addiction and Nullifying Fast

[Reader Questions]

Salaam brother,

I have a question regarding breaking one's Fast intentionally (without a valid excuse of journey or illness)

I suffer from Porn addiction and I have been working hard to get rid of this disgusting problem. Allah Has Helped me get a lot more in control, but then still on certain days, I find myself blacking out as I did today which consequently nullified my fast.

I understand that one has to either fast a day for a day, or feed a poor or needy in its place. That is for the making up.

However, mainstream schools of thought teach of an expiation over and above this, which is fasting for 2 consecutive months, or feeding 60 needy/hungry people, or making donations or charity to that effect.

My question is regarding the expiation; does it find a sound basis from the Quran? If so, could you kindly provide me the appropriate references.

Thanks a lot.

JazakAllah Khayrun

[Joseph Islam]

Wa alaikum assalam

The instructions of the feeding of two consecutive months or sixty needy ones (58:4) is provided in a certain context (58:2). However the disgusting habit (fahisha) you have mentioned which can be argued as a serious spiritual illness, is no small matter. I have touched upon this in a Facebook post [1] below.

At minimum, you will need to provide a ransom (fidya) [2] and feed the poor / needy person in at least the value of what you eat a day (2:184). This is to ransom the fast that you have missed. However, I would strongly recommend to go beyond this if you can in a charitable nature because of the reason the fast is being broken (sinful act).

These fasts cannot be made up later as this is not a case of illness or travel. [3]

I would also suggest beseeching our Lord day and night, with every prayer for him to rid you of this disgusting habit. It appears that you are trying and may God assist you and others who are in a similar position, God willing.

I hope this helps, God willing.

Regards,
Joseph


REFERENCES:

[1] THE BETRAYING EYES
https://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/413132182157248
[2] MISSING FASTS IN RAMADHAN
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=929.msg6199#msg6199
[3] Ibid.