Can I go to the mosque if I still struggle with sins?

Every Muslim is a sinner

The Prophet ﷺ said that every child of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent (Sunan Ibn Majah 4251). He ﷺ also said that if people did not sin, Allah would replace them with people who sin and then ask His forgiveness, and He would forgive them (Sahih Muslim 2749). The brothers and sisters you see in the rows have their own private battles too. You just can't see them.

Prayer itself fights sin

A man once came to the Prophet ﷺ upset because he had kissed a woman he wasn't married to. Allah revealed this verse in response (Sahih al-Bukhari 526):

The man was told to keep praying, not to stay away. Being among people who remember Allah, hearing the Quran and standing in congregation softens the heart and gives you strength against the habits you're fighting.

"I feel like a hypocrite"

This is one of the most common feelings for new Muslims. But a hypocrite pretends to believe while hiding disbelief. You believe, you feel bad about your sins, and you want to change. That guilt is a sign of faith, not hypocrisy. Allah says: "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins" (Quran 39:53). See Will Allah forgive me if I keep committing the same sin?

Keep your struggles private

• Don't announce your sins to people at the mosque. Islam encourages you to keep them between you and Allah.
• Do talk to someone you trust (an imam, a counselor, a mentor) if you need help with something like addiction, in general terms.
• Small steps count. Going for one prayer a week is better than none. If the mosque itself feels overwhelming right now, see Can I take a break from the mosque for my mental health?