Assalamualikum This all atarted after i saw a movie. I became very obsessed with the actor, I know hes a kafir and i shouldnt fantasize about him its haram but shaitan keeps putting his thoughts in my head to an extent that i think I`l go mad with despair. Nowadays i spend most of my time in prayer so i can get rid of his thoughts, prayers do help me feel good but i still gets bouts of depression which interfere with my work and studies. i can hardly study or do anything else (i m even afraid to watch tv in case i see tht acor onscreen again), my life has become miserable because of this. Pls tell me how to get rid of these evil thoughts.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Many movies that are broadcasted on T.V. and the like include many religious prohibitions, and it is one of the causes for spreading temptation and corruption on earth. Therefore, a Muslim man or woman should abide by the religious conditions on the permissibility of the movies that are broadcasted. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 84494.

What happened to you is the best evidence for the seriousness of this matter, and this is also a kind of tribulation. However, patience is the best remedy for tribulation. For more benefit on the excellence of patience, please refer to Fatwa 85445.

If you really have determination, then Allaah will make a way out for your distress. So, you should seek the Help of Allaah and supplicate Him especially with the supplications for relieving one’s sorrow and distress; for more benefit in this regard, please refer to Fatwa 90829.

Also, you should repent to Allaah, seek His forgiveness as much as possible, remember Him much, thank Him and worship Him in the best of manners. For more benefit, refer to Fatwa 86527.

Indeed, you did well by resorting to the prayer because the prayer is the best way for repelling sorrow and anxiety. Huthayfah narrated that when the Prophet faced a difficulty, he would resort to the prayer. [Ahmad and Abu Daawood]

Also, we advise you to perform Ruqyah; as clarified in Fataawa 85500 and 88705.

Finally, you should put a solid barrier between you and these kinds of movies, so you should absolutely not watch them again because of the corruption they cause.

We ask Allaah to bless us and you in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.

Allaah Knows best.