Short answer
Watching porn is haram: it is looking at what Allah has forbidden and is called the zina of the eyes. But a Muslim who is stuck in it and wants out is not lost. Repent every time, cut off access, fill the gaps that lead to it, lower your gaze, fast, marry if you can, and get professional help for a compulsion. The four schools agree on the ruling.
Looking at another person's awrah, and at images of it with desire, is haram. Repentance is accepted each time it is sincere, even after relapse. Taking practical means to stay away from it, including blocking tools and treatment, is required as part of avoiding sin.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Allah tells believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts, and not to come near zina. The Prophet ﷺ said that the eyes commit zina too, and their zina is looking. Porn also harms marriages, warps how people see each other, and many people find it becomes compulsive.
Do not give up on yourself. Many Muslims who struggle with this feel like hypocrites and stop praying. That is what Satan wants. The Prophet ﷺ described a servant who sins, repents, sins again and repents again, and Allah says each time, "My servant knew he has a Lord who forgives sins." Keep turning back. See repeating the same sin.
Practical steps that help:
- install a content filter on every device and give the password to someone else
- keep phones out of the bedroom and bathroom, and avoid being online late and alone
- notice your triggers, such as boredom, stress, loneliness or certain apps, and plan what you will do instead
- pray on time, keep the morning and evening adhkar, and fast Mondays and Thursdays; the Prophet ﷺ said fasting is a shield for the one who cannot yet marry
- if you can marry, take steps towards it
- tell one trusted person, or join a recovery group
Get help for a compulsion. If you cannot stop despite trying, a therapist who treats compulsive sexual behaviour can help, and that is allowed (see seeing a therapist). For related questions, see masturbation and repenting from zina.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Noor 24:30
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.
Lowering the gaze is commanded.
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:32
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا ﴿٣٢﴾
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
Allah forbids even the steps that lead towards zina.
Quran, Surah Az-Zumar 39:53
۞ قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ﴿٥٣﴾
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
No sin is too big for repentance.
Sahih Muslim 2658
Sahih... العينان زناهما النظر ...
"The zina of the eyes is looking."
Looking at what is forbidden with desire is a sin of the eyes.
Sahih Muslim 2758
Sahih... علم أن له ربا يغفر الذنب ويأخذ بالذنب ...
"He knew that he has a Lord who forgives sins and holds to account for them."
Allah forgives the one who keeps repenting after relapse.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5065
Sahih... يا معشر الشباب من استطاع منكم الباءة فليتزوج ...
"O young people, whoever of you is able to marry, let him marry."
Marriage and fasting are the prophetic means of guarding chastity.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on looking and touching. Looking at the awrah of others is forbidden, and looking with desire is forbidden even where looking is otherwise allowed.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha, chapter on looking. Looking with desire is forbidden, and the means to haram take its ruling.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.