​[Book Review] CHANGE by Wael Ibrahim + Learn How to ‘Beat’ The Wrong Habit

Author: Wael Ibrahim

Published: 2016

Reviewer: Kai Whiting, Leader of Academy Book Club

Date reviewed: January 2016

What Is The Book About?

Written in a motivational style, CHANGE, is a faith-based guide on the dangers of pornography, the nature of addiction and how to beat it in small practical and concrete steps.

Whilst this book is not an easy read, it is an important one, especially if pornography has a grip upon your life or that of a loved one. It won’t take you long to read it at all, and in fact, the subsequent conversations that you should have in order to break free from pornography’s grasp will take much longer!

In any case, expect some serious soul-searching in an empowering and non-judgmental way.  Should you be brave enough to tackle this little secret and put pornography where it belongs – firmly in your past- this book will be of a great help.

Who Would Benefit From This Book?

This is the book I wish my father had given me in my late teens or early twenties, as it would have saved me from a lot of strife and guilt that remained tied to my neck – even after I said the Shahada and became Muslim back in 2011.

So is this book only for Muslims? Whilst this book was certainly written for Muslims in mind, there are a lot of men and women of other walks of life who need to read it because they are suffering in shame, and even neglect, because of the effect porn has on the minds of those who consume it.

As a revert myself, I recommend it to fellow reverts who are new to Islam and who would like to leave behind some of the baggage that followed them into their reversion. Yes, the sins go away but some of the old behaviors do linger (unfortunately).

CHANGE will, in fact, bring about change if you are willing to put in the work and commit every day to never looking back. I am really glad I read it, as it helped me understand my journey and how I might help other productive Muslims and Muslimahs in their own journeys.

Quotes That Make You Think

“Temptation does not occur by chance. Satan intended it. But it is WE who open the doors.”

“You cannot win the battle of pornography on your own; however you MUST tell someone whom you trust.”

“Identify your sexual triggers and avoid them so that you will be on your way to break free from pornographic addiction.”

My Key Personal Development & Productivity Takeaways

Pornography casts a large web full of many knots that entrap you. Most people think that pornography only impacts their sex life and marriage intimacy. But it is far more insidious than that. As Muslims/Muslimahs, we know that watching pornography is far from what Allah desires for us. After we finish watching it, we will feel shameful and guilty, if not dirty… None of which are empowering states or helpful when it comes to being/remaining productive.

How can you be productive if you are going around hating yourself all day, after watching a video you know you shouldn’t have watched?

Apart from that, hiding addictions from your spouse is a downward spiral, and although they might not be able to put their finger on what exactly you do in secret, the signals you may be sending out may cause them to withdraw their love from you. Hardly a productive marriage, right?

Pornography also kills your creativity and playfulness – not just in the bedroom – but also at work, where you are called upon to solve complex problems that need creative solutions.

So, in other words, if you want to get productive, make sure pornography doesn’t get in the way. If it does, I fully recommend this book and the associated Productive Muslim Academy Beat It course as a good first step…

Call to Action

Don’t let pornography beat you! If you have a pornography addiction or know someone who does, NOW is the time to Beat It.

Join a Muslim community with none of the judgment you fear…Become a member of the Productive Muslim Academy and kick start your porn-free life with Wael Ibrahim’s NEW and EXCLUSIVE course Beat It!

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