Masturbation in Islam

Author: 
Shaykh Salim Ghisa

A few of my mates have confessed to me that they masturbate as its the only way they can stay away from entering in to haram relationships; they're too young or not financially stable to get married and some of them are even married- what does Islam say about masturbation and what advice can you offer?

A.

In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful

Masturbation by one’s own hand or self is not permissible in Islam.

Allah (The Exalted) says: “Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors.” (23:5-7)

The above verse is used as evidence by all four Imams of Fiqh that masturbation is prohibited.

It is also mentioned in various Hadith as follows that Imam Ibn Kathir has wrote in volume 5 p. 458; Hasan Ibn Arifah reports: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said,

'Seven persons are such that Allah will not look at them on the Day of Qiyaamat nor will He purify them nor will He include them among the learned and Allah will enter them into Jahannam. They will enter Jahannam first except for those who repent. As those who repent Allah will accept their repentance.

  1. A person who masturbates.
  2. A person who performs the act of sodomy.
  3. The person upon whom the act of sodomy is performed.
  4. A perpetual drunkard.
  5. The person who hits his parents so much that they appeal for help.
  6. The person who harms his neighbours so much so that they curse him.
  7. The person who commits adultery with his neighbour's wife.

It is spiritually wrong as well as morally wrong due to the fact that that when one masturbates they are taking away the right of their spouse (if they are married) or the fulfilment of getting married. However, many youth then claim that masturbation is the only way they can stay away from sin. Although one has to understand that normally sexual arousement occurs when a person either sees something that makes them want to commit a sexual act or they may involve themselves in a relationship which then leads on to masturbation. In both cases a person is not allowed to put themselves in that position.

The other problem is that their relationship with their spouse is not a fulfilling one and therefore to fulfil their sexual hunger they feel they have to masturbate. In this situation it is still not allowed and in some ways even worse as this could deprive their marriage of one of its essential ingredients.

It is permissible for a wife to masturbate her husband and vice versa. (Radd ul Mohtar). Therefore if the husband has the urge to this then he may allow his wife to do this for him. Also, if there are other reasons why a husband feels the need to masturbate then he must identify the root cause and discuss this with his spouse.

If a person knows for sure that if they did not masturbate then they would commit fornication, then in this situation the lesser of the two evils is to masturbate as fornication would be a worse sin. One should still repent after this.

If a person feels the urge to masturbate on a regular basis then they should get married if they can financially afford to do so. If this is not possible then a person should fast as this according to the Hadith will quell a person’s sexual urge (due to weakness resulting from the lack of food and drink).
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said,

'O group of youth! Whoever from among you can marry should do so because it keeps the gaze low and it protects the private parts. And he who cannot marry should make it compulsory upon himself to fast because it breaks lust.' (Bukhari & Muslim)

What else can I do to stay away from masturbation?

  1. The motive to seek a cure for this problem should be solely following Allah's orders and fearing His punishment.
  2. 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).
  3. Using one's available leisure time in worshipping Allah and increasing religious knowledge.
  4. A person should pray after every Salaah and ask for help from Allah to refrain from sin.
  5. Trying to follow the Prophet's (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) 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).
  6. Repenting, asking forgiveness from Allah, doing good deeds, and not losing hope and feeling despair are all prerequisites to curing this problem.

Of course Allah knows best.

Comments

It is not right therefore not allowed.

It is spiritually wrong as well as morally wrong due to the fact that that when one masturbates they are taking away the right of their spouse (if they are married) or the fulfilment of getting married. However, many youth then claim that masturbation is the only way they can stay away from sin. Although one has to understand that normally sexual arousement occurs when a person either sees something that makes them want to commit a sexual act or they may involve themselves in a relationship which then leads on to masturbation. In both cases a person is not allowed to put themselves in that position.

The other problem is that their relationship with their spouse is not a fulfilling one and therefore to fulfil their sexual hunger they feel they have to masturbate. In this situation it is still not allowed and in some ways even worse as this could deprive their marriage of one of its essential ingredients.

And remember you do not know better than Allah and He has a reason for everything.

"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

No point arguing with lollywood - you wont get him to look for the greater good or to look beyond the moment (and by this I dont just mean reward in the afterlife, I workingmean real actual measurable beneficial stuff in this life).

I wouldnt be surprosed if he was also anti education... "why wait 3 years to earn a wage when you can do and get half as much now?"

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

when one masturbates they are taking away the right of their spouse

Why is that the right of a spouse?

youth then claim that masturbation is the only way they can stay away from sin

Agreed

Although one has to understand that normally sexual arousement occurs when a person either sees something that makes them want to commit a sexual act

Trust me you don't have to look very far bill boards, news papers, tv

The other problem is that their relationship with their spouse is not a fulfilling one and therefore to fulfil their sexual hunger they feel they have to masturbate,even in this situation it is still not allowed

If the wife is un able to fully fulfil her husbands sexual needs and then he masturbates in that case the husband should be held responsible masturbating

My English is not very good

I think that this is an improper interpretation of the verse regarding guarding your private parts from those other than your wife, as this refers to not having relations outside of marriage. The Quran says to guard your privates, which means from others, not yourself, if this were the case you would not even be able to wash your privates according to such a strict interpretation. In addition, if one is say unable to get married at 40 or even 50 years old, it could drive a person MAD ie. insane if they could never release their sexual tensions while those in power have sex with wives and slaves simply because they were lucky enough to be born into a wealthy or privileged family. This in of itself is gross injustice while even kafirs have sex with their wives and enjoy sex while a very major portion of Muslims starve and cannot even get married because of the unIslamic and greedy behavior of those at the top who do not even care about Islam including many in the Saudi Royal family who have orgies in hotels next to Makkah and one prince even murdered his servant for refusing gay sex. Now you want to tell people they cannot even masturbate? Saying something is haram when it is not is also HARAM. I would lille to ask the writer of this article if he has ever masturbated, and I am 100%sure with Allah as witness that he could not lie and say no. Even married men feel the need to occasionally masturbate if their wife is pregnant. Extremism is exactly why people are turned away from our beautiful religion. In conclusion, please stop making stuff up, you are confusing everyone and making our religion into something crazy. I know as I have gone to extremism and it can make one insane as well as lose all joy. Stick to the basics and it will be much better for all of the Muslim Ummah. Thank you.

You have not provided anything from Islam to back up your claim. You're just saying it should be allowed cuz people can't control themselves. As was mentioned in either the article or subsequent comments doing the better of two evils is allowed however it does not make the thing halal. You just picked on one thing from the article and tried to disprove it - what about the rest of the article? And what have the Saudis got to do with anything :/ yes they are wrong and should stop, if that is what they do.

"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

A salaam a Aleikum brother, I am sorry if I offended you. That was not my intention. I was trying to show that there is no specific verse from the Quran against masturbation and gave an example of people whom cannot or do not get married till 40 and even 50 years old. Would masturbation be disallowed for them to go so many years resisting a natural impulse. I myself cannot imagine being able to go so long to do this. I agree that it should not be a habit, but it is better to release a tension than to say commit the sin, as you said or even do something worse such as rape, that crime is much more terrible than if someone merely released their own burden. I wonder if we were not subject to so much sex everywhere, if it would be easier but in the history of the world without TV and media, sexual crimes still existed. I brought up those members (one whose case is known) just to show that the rich are able endulge in anything they wish but the poor such as myself cannot even get married because we do not have money. I am 35 years old, and have no prospects of even a job or money, am I supposed to not release my sexual tension or have any pleasure for my whole life if I cannot get married? I should then simply live as a monk. It is not fair for people who cannot get married that they have to wait 40 years to experience sexual pleasure while some whom get married at even 20 are able to enjoy sex with their wives and have a loving relationship. that is what we all want. No one wants to masturbate, it feels humiliating but then what can you do if you cannot get married? Sex is not everything but to occasionally masturbate to release a natural urge is better than having sex with a woman on your mind. It would be great and miraculous if one could not masturbate for 40 years if they could but I do not think any human being on earth has not masturabated. I politely ask you, and please be honest with yourself, you do not have reply, but have you ever masturbated? Now think of how long some people have to go before they get married. If I could have I would have gotten married at 15 or 20, but even with a college degree I cannot get a job and then as a Muslim there is a specific warning that you cannot take Jews and Chrsistians as friends and it is not easy to find a Muslim to work for.

The Quranic verse "And who abstain from sex, Except with those Joined to them in the marriage bond, Or the captives whom their right hand possesses, For in their case they are free from blame, But those Whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors."
Masturbation is not sex, for there is no partner. In Islam you are permitted to have unmarked sex with your slave girl, logically speaking, if that is permissible than I would think a thing such as masturbation, where you are only touching your own body and not transgressing limits such as pursuing other sexual relations such as extramarital affairs would be ok if necessary. I definitely am not saying this should be a habit, but sex with a woman is a much larger thing than releasing a tension so that you can at least feel normal and are not tempted to sin with a woman, especially in countries where women roam freely. If one did not masturbate I think their head would explode.
If I had to go 35 years without masturbating I think my head would definitely explode or I would be in constant agitation or hyperactivity. It's just not normal to go so long with absolutely no sexual pleasure. The goal is the hereafter, and one should try to tech themselves self control by abstaining from masturbation. But for people who are middle aged men, and cannot get married, it would be a burden to not be able to have any sexual pleasure. Our religion is not Buddhism where we have to resist sexual pleasure. Allah SWT grants His bounty for our happiness and enjoyment and He made sex for enjoyment and love between a man and a woman. But the urge of a man does not simply go away. And 30 or 40 years is an extremely long time to never once experience sexual pleasure or release a tension. Who could do this? I do not know or have ever heard of someone who could or ever did. Thank you, kasim.

Also brother, I am not trying to disprove anything in your article. Your article is very well written and informative. I am merely showing how not being able to masturbate is unfair for those of us whom cannot get married, it is a terrible burden to not be able to touch your own body or experience sexual pleasure.

But then again only Allah knows. Maybe masturbation is not allowed. I myself would like to never again masturbate, and instead have a loving relationship with my wife. InshAllah when I get money, I will not have to worry about masturbation.

Wsalam.

I'm not the writer of the article, nor am I offended Smile

But like I said it is the better of two evils but not halal.

Islam knows it is natural to have sexual desires and even rewards a couple for that! SubhanAllah.

It also promotes early marriages because people can't control themselves that much. And fasting is also recommended for those who can't control themselves.

I take it you're not married? Do you need *more* money or just money? I mean, are you putting too much emphasis on money coming in the way of you getting married, or is it really that much of an issue?

Also try to do things differently - perhaps you need to stop watching TV so much and other things which promote lust and sexual relationships. Try to avoid being around such people etc etc. I get it must be hard to control, but I just think if you can change your surroundings a bit and your habits, it may lessen the desire. Like, you wouldn't be thinking of it so much so you wouldn't want to do it? I shouldn't assume that your surroundings aren't good etc, just saying if they are...

Also if/when you do change that stuff, you could try listening to more Qur'an, learning what it means, reading up on Islam. Playing sport, hanging out with your family etc. Basically just try to not let yourself focus on it too much.

Disclaimer: I haven't had this issue so I probably shouldn't be giving any sort of advice. There's no harm in trying this, though?

"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

i think your advice is really good PowerOfSilence.

basically make sure you're busy at the time you usually do it.

and ive read somewhere there's health issues with doing this so...

plus...you should only feel this feeling with your wife really..

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

Lilly wrote:

plus...you should only feel this feeling with your wife really..

I dislike this sentence a lot in this blog. Think whoever the person is, already knows it.

I like the way Fifi has gone about with the advice. Was actually impressed.

 

s.b.f wrote:
Lilly wrote:

plus...you should only feel this feeling with your wife really..

I dislike this sentence a lot in this blog. Think whoever the person is, already knows it.

actually this person doesn't. I apologized for forcing you to read such a horrible sentence.

this quoted sentence was written out of embarrassment actually. MASTURBATION IS EMBARASSING TO TALK ABOUT IN MY WORLD. SORRY FOR BEING EMBARRASSED.

i was going to develop this above quoted sentence. but it wasnt out of fear of being strongly disliked by an older member. i didnt think such an opinion based sentence could bring out such strong feelings. i was going to develop it to explain my point but was too embarrassed to do so.

...

basically, if you've been feeling yourself up and REALLY enjoying it. then you get married and you dont feel that pleasure with your wife. you are so screwed. you're basically going to have to touch yourself up to feel good even when you're married. wont that be an awkward situation. nice. real nice. especially for the wife.

you can say that people who dont touch themselves up still have some kind of expectation of what its going to be like with their partner but its not the same as having FELT that feeling of pleasure from touching yourself up then not getting that same pleasure from your wife.

wouaw..pretty embarrasing stuff right there. sorry for making you think that i knew that you found this sentence dislikable.

btw. my name's Lilly. you know my real name and my surname, you have me on fb, and you have my mobile number. you know where i live. that's the "whoever the person is" is.

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

I dont think this topic should be discussed beyond the facts.

It may be a good idea to disable/delete all existing comments too...

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Lilly wrote:
that's the "whoever the person is" is.

(I think she meant the guest who posted)

"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

@Admin: lol, since when do we delete posts on "the voice of the muslim youth"

@TPOS: so she quoted WRONG? what the flip man...what kinda excuse is that?

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

1) I disliked the sentence.
2) 'whoever the person is' = guest/Kasim/

 

Lilly wrote:

basically, if you've been feeling yourself up and REALLY enjoying it. then you get married and you dont feel that pleasure with your wife. you are so screwed. you're basically going to have to touch yourself up to feel good even when you're married. wont that be an awkward situation. nice. real nice. especially for the wife.

you can say that people who dont touch themselves up still have some kind of expectation of what its going to be like with their partner but its not the same as having FELT that feeling of pleasure from touching yourself up then not getting that same pleasure from your wife.

No offence but this makes you sound quite immature. There is obviously nothing wrong with being innocent, but if you're going to discuss it properly, then ranting about 'touching yourself up' just sounds wrong.

Btw I'm not sure but I don't think that's an official reason why its not allowed, or were you just saying your opinion? I don't think it quite works like that, because masturbation is a substitute for sex which is a basic human desire, so its unlikely (but not impossible I suppose) that someone would rather spend more time with themselves for phys pleasure than their wives/husbands. Unless I guess there's an overriding marital issue, but then thats another thing.

Just getting my two cents worth in ><

#Before you look at the thorns of the rose , look at it's beauty. Before you complain about the heat of the sun , enjoy it's light. Before you complain about the blackness of the night, think of it's peace and quiet... #

Lilly wrote:

@TPOS: so she quoted WRONG? what the flip man...what kinda excuse is that?

Well it was fairly obvious to me, and Silence worked it out so maybe you just misunderstood, nowt to get worked up about Smile

#Before you look at the thorns of the rose , look at it's beauty. Before you complain about the heat of the sun , enjoy it's light. Before you complain about the blackness of the night, think of it's peace and quiet... #

shias boys do muta, and so they dont wank.
its the only alternative.

Ayatollah rightly named America as "Great Satan".

Salam, here is a blog  by an experienced muslim that might help those seeking for help in recovering from the masturbation addiction. 

<em>assalamualikum I want to know that if a person masturabate then is it written immediately or the person get chance to repent for that sin please brother I need to know the answer help me&nbsp;</em>

How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding…

So well said...

Brother,

 

Islam is a religion that answers every question in it's holy book, Quran. In different surahs Allah Subhan wa Ta'ala has clearly mentioned about the relationship between a husband and his wife, the relationship details of the sexual relations too.

 

Besides, if our children or sisters can't ask such questions openly where will then they look for answers? If our books and our scholars don't answer them then how can they be guided?

 

So, please don't look at the information here as a filthy one, instead remember that this type of questions are necessary to be answered to save our children who nowadays are more likely to commit such sins due to the unlimited access to the internet.

 

May Allah help you and all the readers to understand the brighter sides of this.

May Allah save all of us and our coming generation from falling into such sins.

Aameen Ya Rabb.

 

Reading through your article, and some of the comments, makes me think you must be good Catholics. Catholics seemed to be obsessed with sex at one time.

Either doing it to produce lots of catholic babies, [Muslim babies] birth control against Catholic teaching, hence large catholic families living in poverty.

Or resorting to masturbation to relieve sexual tensions [forbidden, if you ejaculate it was a waste of semen, and loss of catholic babies]

Plus the tales of, too much masturbation and you will either go mad, or go blind [hence the joke can I do it till I have to wear glasses. Or what does a priest know he his supposed to be celibate, hence the boyish and in some cases girlish giggles if a priest passed by with thick lenses on his glasses

The obsession with adultery, sex outside of marriage is a mortal sin, and you will burn in hell-fire

'Seven persons are such that Allah will not look at them on the Day of Qiyaamat nor will He purify them nor will He include them among the learned and Allah will enter them into Jahannam. They will enter Jahannam first except for those who repent. As those who repent Allah will accept their repentance.

1.A person who masturbates.

2.A person who performs the act of sodomy.

3.The person upon whom the act of sodomy is performed.

4.A perpetual drunkard.

5.The person who hits his parents so much that they appeal for help.

6.The person who harms his neighbours so much so that they curse him.

7.The person who commits adultery with his neighbour's wife.

There are some sensible comments in the vein of why are we obsessive about these things and be extremely dictatorial about these sorts of things, thus bringing Islam into disrepute and open to ridicule.

Or has most people would say,” what you do in the privacy of your home is between your own conscience and God, and no one else.”

But what did make me take the time too comment was the following;

Allah (The Exalted) says: “Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors.” (23:5-7)

It goes on too say;

“And they who guard their private parts - Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed - But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors -And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive - And they who carefully maintain their prayers -Those are the inheritors Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally.” (23:5-11)

This is the defence used by the sex abusers and rapists in Rotherham, Bradford and Oxford against ethnic British girls. The girls are not Muslim; they dress immodestly and are simply asking for it. Plus the Quran [above reading] says it is permissible and if we maintain our prayers then it is all right.

A bit like the catholic confessional, we confess to the priest, say we are sorry and repent, and all is forgiven.

I have two points to make, the obvious one is. It is not all right to rape anyone, Muslim or not. The excuse that it is permissible in the Quran and Mohammed and his companions did the same thing is again not an excuse.

Second point; if Muslims are happy to except a law that is over 1400 years old [and in my opinion even though it is in the Quran, it is both inhumane and goes against common human values] would the Muslim community accept the re-instating of a UK law that was rescinded in the 1950’s?

Namely; if a male is persistently guilty of rape, paedophilia, and Sodomy, He will have the option of either chemical and/or mechanical castration. [As Sodomy between consenting males is legal in the west] only rape and paedophilia would apply.

Lastly how would the Muslim community [or any other community] feel if a group of men decided to target young Muslim girls in this manner?

 

As i see it wrote:
The girls are not Muslim; they dress immodestly and are simply asking for it. Plus the Quran [above reading] says it is permissible and if we maintain our prayers then it is all right.

I would seriously disagree with that interpretation and find it offensive (whether said by a Muslim or a non-Muslim). There is nothing in there to suggest that force of any sort is allowed.

If you did read it like that, then the first part of the translated verse would also be read the same.

In Madinah, the punishment for rape was considered death by stoning – which is hardly condoning such behaviour.

Those that have acted in abusive ways and carried out the crimes have no religious justification for it. It is their own perversions and defects.

The issue of uncovered women was addressed at the time of the prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (Peace and Blessings be upon him) – naked women were used as a distraction in a battle and the sahabah were told to lower their gazes. They weren’t told to attack them or objectify them.

Historically Christians and catholics would also disagree with your comparison with Islam and catholicism – Islam accepts that humans and desires and commands us to act on them in permissible ways. Catholicism does the opposite.

As for rape and paedophilia, while grooming cases involving people of Ppakistani origin etc have been much publicised, the issue is much wider and the wider problem is underreported, or when involving caucasians it is reported in a way that it is shown as a single incident, whether it involves one person or a whole “ring” (as opposed to “gang” if it is by certain ethnicities).

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

I would seriously disagree with that interpretation and find it offensive (whether said by a Muslim or a non-Muslim). There is nothing in there to suggest that force of any sort is allowed

I accept that you disagree with this interpretation, but how else would you interpret “or those whom their right hands possess?” Then again we are back to a meaning of, or interpretation of words. Which is why I have always said listen to what people say, but pay closer attention to what they do.

Historically Christians and catholics would also disagree with your comparison with Islam and catholicism – Islam accepts that humans and desires and commands us to act on them in permissible ways. Catholicism does the opposite.

In this I disagree, Catholics of today and their interpretations are much kinder and tolerate then Catholics of 50 of 60 years ago [never mind going back centuries]. In their manner at the time is very similar in nature to extreme [Wahhabism as one example] Islam. They would tolerate little or no dissension by Catholics to what the Papal interpretations of many things.

At its worst it formed a schism, or splitting, between Christian faiths and many Catholics either simply left orthodox Catholicism. Some still kept their Christian faith but had no faith in the organised religious institutions. In some ways, but not as severe the Church of England as had the same results.

This as led to the rise of non-conformist Christian sects [Methodists Congregationists, and Christdelphians to mention three] and as forced the organised religious leaders of these institutions to listen to the followers and to keep some semblance of control and authority. Some would say they have gone too far, but again it is a matter of opinion.

Islam accepts that humans and desires and commands us to act on them in permissible ways. Catholicism does the opposite.

If by this, you mean Islam is more understanding of human frailties and weaknesses to temptations. Not to mention its toleration of other people’s views, I have my doubts, it appears that western ideas on peoples weakness and views are much more tolerant. If Christian ideas and interpretations of even 150 years ago was still mainstream then none Christians would have a much harder life in the west then what they think have now.

Indeed the fasting growing sector in the west is a total disbelief in all religions, or deities of any kind. Over 50% of the under thirties, whilst showing toleration, have no inclination to follow any form of religion. They may show extreme intolerance of any imposition of any religion on their lifestyles.

On a different subject. I listened to your link

It was very good, I just let it play whilst I was working and came across this gem that you might find interesting.

99 Names of Allah (swt) nasheed by Omar Esa

 

As I said before, there is nothing in those words that suggests that consent is not required and to suggest otherwise is wrong.

Further Islamic history through the sunnah has also clearly shown what is allowed and what is not.

There isnt any room at all to allow for an alternative understanding that says that consent is not required.

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Sorry, on your last omment we shall have to agree to disagree.

My last comment on this is, as i said before. listen and/or read the words. You can throw words about all day to justify one’s point of view [The Old Testement is a classic, for every augument there is a counter one] but as i have said many times, pay more attention to mans actions.not to what he says.

At the end of the day, how you live your life is down to you, your life, your responsibility. 

 

That's really important issue that our youngsters feel shy to talk about.I also didn't know before reading on this site . JazakAllah . May Allah forgive us . 

 

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