Breaking Addiction: A Struggle That Must Wake You

Relapsing Does Not Cancel Your Progress

Healing is not a straight road — it is more like the tide.

Some days you rise, other days you pull back. But the direction can still be made forward.

Surah Ali ‘Imran Verse 135:

“Those who, when they slip into sin, remember Allah and seek His forgiveness – and who can forgive sins if not Allah? – and do not stay persist knowingly.”

Even if you fall deeper than before, turning back is always open.

Your Struggle Is Your Connection With Allah

Islam honours the struggler — not just the successful.

Propher Muhammad s.a.w said in a hadith,

“Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but at your hearts and actions.”

Ibn al-Qayyim:

“The knower of Allah may sin, and the repentant may sin. But the one who truly knows, if he sins, repents — and after the sin, he loves Allah more than before”

-Madarij Al-Salikin

Imam al-Ghazali’s 6 M’s of Self-Purification

In Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, Imam al-Ghazali offers 6 steps of spiritual discipline.

They can guide us in fighting addiction — with honesty, structure, and mercy to oneself.

1. Musharatoh (Goal Setting)

Start with an intentional contract with your soul.

“I want to stop this — for Allah, for those I love, and for the person I want to become.”

Make it raw (personal). Write it down. Say it out loud.

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

– Surah Ar-Ra’d Verse 11

2. Muraqabah (Self-Monitoring)

Be mindful of what you expose yourself to — what you see, what you hear, what you consume, and the company you keep.

Because your thoughts are shaped by what you consume.

“Gaze of the eye plants the seed of thought. Thought stirs desire. Desire births action. Then comes habit, and habit chains the heart.”

— Ibn al-Qayyim’s Al-Jawab al-Kafiy

You cannot change what you do not notice. Awareness is the start of freedom from the chain.

3. Muhasabah (Self-Accountability)

Check in with yourself — gently, without shame.

Pause and ask: What led me here? What emotion was I trying to escape? What need was I trying to fulfil?

The goal isn’t to judge or blame yourself, but to see with honesty. Because clarity, not condemnation, is what opens the door to change.

Umar ibn al-Khatṭab (RA):

“Call yourself to account before you are called to account.” -Kitab al-Zuhd of Imam Ahmad

4. Mujahadah (Disciplining Through Struggle)

This is the internal jihad — the fight against the ego, not others.

Imam al-Ghazali said: “The nafs is like a wild horse. If you don’t train it, it throws you off.” -Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, Vol 3

Train yourself with small acts of restraint.

Example: Delay the urge by 10 minutes.

Replace it with Istighfar. Get up and walk away.

Small wins are still wins.

“As for those who strive in Our cause – We will guide them to Our paths.” -Surah Al-‘Ankabut: 69

5. Muʿaqabah (Spiritual Consequence)

When you slip, hold yourself accountable — not with punishment, but purpose.

Not: “I’m hopeless.”

But: “How can I remind myself that I do not want to go back?”

Examples:

Donate a small amount in charity after a relapse.

Do two rakaat of repentance.

Skip a small luxury for the day as a reminder.

It’s about realigning your path — not punishing your soul.

6. Muʿatabah (Recommitment After Regret)

When you fall, do not settle in shame.

Talk to yourself. Say:

“I slipped. But I still want to be better. Let’s return to Allah again”

“O son of Adam, as long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done…”

-Hadith Qudsi (Tirmidhi 3540):

Let your regret open the door to recommitment, not self-hate.

You Are Never Too Far

This is not the end.

You might ask: “But what if I have relapsed badly… again and again?”

“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves: Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” -Az-Zumar: 53

Relapsing does not cancel your progress. It reveals what still needs healing.

And every sincere return is still a return — no matter how late or messy.

Things You Can Start Today

1) Journal honestly.

What triggered you? What were you feeling before and after?

2) Read Surah Al-Fatihah with meaning.

Why? It is a dua for guidance. Let every word be a reminder that you are still on the path.

3) Make this prophetic dua

اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا

Allahumma aati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha, anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wamawlaha

“O Allah, grant my soul its taqwa and purify it — You are the best to purify it, You are its Guardian and Protector.” — Muslim, 2722

For More Support

Therapist: Try PPIS As-Salaam (https://ppis.sg/our-services/as-salaam/) or Club HEAL(https://www.clubheal.org.sg)

Support group: WE CARE Community Services (https://wecare.org.sg) or Hayaa Network (https://www.liyanamusfirah.com/)

Trusted ustaz: Choose someone who listens, not just gives verdict. Look for asatizah trained in pastoral or Islamic counselling work or working with agencies like Pergas.

Reach out to Allah. Then talk to someone you trust.

How? Start with “Ya Allah, I don’t know where to begin. But I need You.” All comes from Allah. Help comes from Him too. Message a friend: “Can I talk? I am not okay today.”

Regardless whether you are men or women, the first word is always the hardest — but it is also the beginning of healing.

Reminder, you are not your addiction. You are the heart that still turns back. And that matters — more than you know.

“And He found you lost, and guided you.”

— Surah ad-Duha, 93:7

One day, you will look back and thank yourself for not giving up.