I have a question which I am shy to ask but another sister who has


come to Islam recently wants an answer to and I do not have an answer


(with dalils from the Qur'an and Sunnah). I hope you can help and I


hope Allah will forgive me if it is inappropriate but as Muslims we


should never be shy in seeking knowledge. Her question was "Is it permissible


in Islam to masturbate?" May Allah increase us all in knowledge!


Praise be to Allaah.


Masturbation (for both men and women) is haraam (forbidden) in Islam


based on the following evidences:


First from the Qur’aan:


Imam Ash-Shafi’i stated that masturbation is forbidden based on the


following verses from the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning): “And


those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts).


Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands


possess,  for then, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond


that, then those are the transgressors.” (23:5-7) Here the verses are clear


in forbidding all illegal sexual acts (including masturbation) except for the


wives or that their right hand possess. And whoever seeks beyond that is


the transgressor.


“And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep


themselves chaste, until Allah enriches them of His bounty.” (24:33). This


verse also clearly orders whoever does not have the financial means to


marry to keep himself chaste and be patient in facing temptations (including


masturbation) until Allah enriches them of His bounty.


Secondly, from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him):


Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood said:


We were with the Prophet while we were young and had no wealth


whatsoever. So Allaah’s Messenger said:


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O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because


it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private


parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse, etc.), and


whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his


sexual power. (Bukhari: 5066)


The hadeeth orders men who are not able to marry to fast despite


the hardship encountered in doing so, and not to masturbate despite the


ease with which it can be done. There are additional evidences that can


be cited to support this ruling on masturbation, but due to the limited


space, we will not go through them here. Allaah knows what is best and


most correct. As for curing the habit of masturbation, we recommend the


following suggestions:


1) The motive to seek a cure for this problem should be solely following


Allaah’s orders and fearing His punishment.


2) A permanent and quick cure from this problem lies in marriage as


soon as the person is able, as shown in the Prophet’s hadeeth.


3) Keeping oneself busy with what is good for this world and the hereafter


is essential in breaking this habit before it becomes second nature


after which it is very difficult to rid oneself of it.


4) Lowering the gaze (from looking at forbidden things such as pictures,


movies, etc.) will help suppress the desire before it leads one to


commit the haraam (forbidden). Allaah orders men and women to lower


their gaze as shown in the following two verses and in the Prophet’s hadeeth


(interpretations of the meanings): “Tell the believing men to lower


their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private


parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is


All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their


gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts


(from illegal sexual acts, etc.)….” (24:30-31).


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Allaah’s Messenger said, “Do not follow a casual (unintentional) look


(at forbidden things) with another look.” (At-Tirmidhi 2777). This is a general


instruction by the Prophet to abstain from all that may sexually excite


a person because it might lead him/her to commit the haraam (forbidden).


5) Using one’s available leisure time in worshipping Allaah and increasing


religious knowledge.


6) Being cautious not to develop any of the medical symptoms that


may result from masturbation such as weak eyesight, weak nervous system,


and/or back pain. More importantly, feeling of guilt and anxiety that


can be complicated by missing obligatory prayers because of the need to


shower (ghusl) after every incidence of masturbation.


7) Avoiding the illusion that some youth have that masturbation is


permissible because it prevents them from committing illegal sexual acts


such as fornication or even homosexuality.


8) Strengthening one’s willpower and avoiding spending time alone


as recommended by the Prophet when he said, “Do not spend the night


alone” (Ahmad: 6919).


9) Following the Prophet’s aforementioned hadeeth and fast when


possible, because fasting will temper one’s sexual desire and keep it under


control. However, one should not overreact and swear by Allaah not


to return to the act because if one does not honor one’s promise, one


would be facing the consequences of not living up to one’s oath to Allaah.


Also, note that medication to diminish one’s sexual desire is strictly prohibited


because it might permanently affect one’s sexual ability.


10) Trying to follow the Prophet’s recommendation concerning the


etiquette of getting ready for bed, such as reading well-known supplications,


sleeping on the right side, and avoiding sleeping on the belly (the


Prophet forbade sleeping on the belly).


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11) Striving hard to be patient and chaste, because persistence will


eventually, Allaah willing, lead to attaining those qualities as second nature,


as the Prophet explains in the following hadeeth, “Whoever seeks


chastity Allaah will make him chaste, and whoever seeks help from none


but Allaah, He will help him, and whoever is patient He will make it easy


for him, and no one has ever been given anything better than patience.”


(Bukhari: 1469).


12) Repenting, asking forgiveness from Allaah, doing good deeds, and


not losing hope and feeling despair are all prerequisites to curing this


problem. Note that losing hope is one of the major sins punishable by


Allaah.


13) Finally, Allaah is the Most Merciful and He always responds to


whoever calls on Him. So, asking for Allah’s forgiveness will be accepted,


by His will. Wallahu a’lam (i.e. And Allah knows what is best and most


correct)