Should One Tell His Parents That He Was Imagining Zina?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I haven’t done this, but if someone imagines committing Zina when the parents have told them not to, do they need to tell their parents and apologize? What if they think the parents will be upset? What do they do if someone has a habit of Zina and can’t stop? Do they constantly need to apologize to their parents if they tell the kid not to commit Zina?

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for giving your parents such a high rank and for wanting to be good to them.

Imagining Zina

Although it is sinful to daydream or imagine zina (fornication), one should not tell one’s parents about it. One should repent to Allah (Most High) and take the means to eliminate this habit through dhikr (remembrance of Allah), seeking refuge from the Devil (A‘udhu biLlahi min ash-Shaytan ir-rajim), prayer, wudu, and other healthy distractions. Imagining zina is not committing zina.

Fadala Ibn ‘Ubayd narrates that the Messenger of Allah Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “The deeds of everyone who dies are sealed. Except for the one who dies guarding the frontier from the enemy, in the cause of Allah. For indeed his actions are increased for him until the Day of Judgement, and he is secure from the tribulation of the grave.” And I heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying: “The Mujahid is one who strives against his own soul.’ [Tirmidhi]

So be of the Mujahidin (those who strive) against your soul, seeking help through Allah, and you will conquer it, by His grace.

Please see these links as well:

• Am I Sinful for Getting Lost in Sexual Thoughts?
• Is It Permissible to Fantasize About a Hypothetical Marriage?
• Fantasizing about the Opposite Sex

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.