The Shari’ah Ruling on Masturbation: In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
Introduction
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Islamic Shari’ah instructs its adherents to chastity, modesty and moral purity. The Shari’ah has not only forbidden adultery and obscenity, but has also placed restrictions on all the means and pathways that can lead a person toward these forbidden acts.
Permissible Means of Fulfilling Sexual Desire
Islam has specified two lawful means for fulfilling a person’s sexual needs:
◈ Marital relations with one’s wife
◈ Intercourse with a slave-girl (in accordance with Islamic rules)
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ – إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ – فَمَنِ ابْتَغَىٰ وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ﴾
Translation:
“And those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed they are not blameworthy. But whoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are the transgressors.”
The Evidence of the Jurists for the Prohibition of Masturbation
◈ Imam al-Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) and other scholars have derived from this verse the proof that masturbation (istimna’ bil-yad) is forbidden, because it is a third method apart from these two lawful means (wife and slave-girl).
◈ Imam al-Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“Apart from a wife and a slave-girl, the use of the private part is not lawful, and nor is istimna’ bil-yad (masturbation) lawful.”
Physical and Psychological Harms of Masturbation
◈ Masturbation weakens the veins of the private organ.
◈ It increases the sensitivity of sensation, as a result of which a person becomes very sensitive.
◈ This condition gives rise to sexual disorders such as premature ejaculation.
◈ It has negative effects on married life.
The Guidance of the Prophet ﷺ for Unmarried Persons
For unmarried persons who cannot control their sexual desires and for whom marriage is not possible, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has given a pure solution:
“The Prophet ﷺ has commanded fasting.”
Fasting not only reduces physical strength but, by increasing spiritual strength, it guides a person onto the path of piety and God-consciousness.
Conclusion
◈ Masturbation is an unlawful and harmful act.
◈ The Shari’ah has not permitted it in any circumstance, and has declared fulfilling desire by any means other than a wife or a slave-girl to be transgression of limits.
◈ In accordance with the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, fasting is the best solution for controlling this sexual desire.
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