How can someone get rid of a bad habit practiced for 11 years due to bad friends and a desire to correct past Ramadan mistakes? Should they make up missed fasting days, and what else should they do after converting to Islam?
Question
How can someone who has been practicing this family habit for 11 years due to bad friends and other reasons they know well get rid of it effectively, while also wanting to correct past mistakes related to Ramadan? Should they resume missed days during Ramadan, and is there anything else they should do after embracing Islam?
Answer Summary
Praise be to Allah and blessings upon His Messenger. We encourage you to repent and abandon sins, asking Allah to accept your repentance. This habit is forbidden and harmful, especially during Ramadan; if done, you must make up missed fasts without atonement. Consult scholarly fatwas for clarity. Allah knows best.
Praise be to Allah and peace be upon His Messenger. In the beginning, we congratulate you on Allah guiding you to repent and abandon your previous sins. We ask Allah to accept your repentance and guide you on the right path, as He surely accepts the repentance of His servants and rejoices in it, no matter what sins they have committed. The family habit is forbidden and very harmful, and its punishment is more severe if committed during Ramadan, especially during its daytime. If, however, you commit this act, you must compensate for your fast without needing to atone according to the majority. If abstaining from it leads to its increments, then you should compensate starting from that point. Consulting fatwas about this matter is recommended. Watching illicit images is also prohibited and highly dangerous. The Lord knows best.