1. Admit Powerlessness: - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. Quranic Reference: "And those who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins." (Quran 39:53)

 

2. Believe in Allah’s Power: - We came to believe that only Allah, the Most Merciful, could restore us to sanity. Quranic Reference: "And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him." (Quran 65:3)

 

3. Submit to Allah: - We made a conscious decision to submit our will and our lives to the care of Allah as we understood Him. Quranic Reference: "Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'" (Quran 6:162)

 

4. Self-Reflection and Accountability: - We made a searching and honest self-reflection and sought to rectify our mistakes according to Islamic teachings. Quranic Reference: "And say, 'Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers...'" (Quran 9:105)

 

5. Admit Wrongdoings: - We admitted to Allah, to ourselves, and to another trusted person the exact nature of our wrongdoings. Quranic Reference: "And [He is] the one who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do." (Quran 42:25)

 

6. Seek Forgiveness: - We were entirely ready to have Allah remove all these defects of character and forgive our sins. Quranic Reference: "And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 4:110)

 

7. Pray for Strength and Guidance: - We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings and guide us in the right path. Quranic Reference: "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent." (Quran 66:8)

 

8. Make Amends: - We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Quranic Reference: "And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good." (Quran 2:195)

 

9. Seek Forgiveness from Others: - We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Quranic Reference: "The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah." (Quran 42:40)

 

10. Continue Personal Accountability: - We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Quranic Reference: "Believers, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves..." (Quran 4:135)

 

11. Pray and Meditate: - We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with Allah, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the strength to carry that out. Quranic Reference: "O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Quran 2:153)

 

12. Help Others: - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Quranic Reference: "Help one another in acts of righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." (Quran 5:2)