Ruling on Masturbation and Fingering

This content is extracted from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, based on the fatwas of the scholars of Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.

Question:

What is the ruling on masturbation and fingering?

Answer:

We have no doubt about the prohibition of this (bad) habit, as there are two primary reasons for its prohibition:

① The First Reason:

Allah has described the virtuous traits of believers in the Qur'an:

"Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive. And they who turn away from ill speech. And they who are observant of Zakat. 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."
(Surah Al-Mu'minun: 1-7)

Imam Shafi’i (رحمه الله) derived the prohibition of masturbation and similar acts from this verse. In this verse, Allah has outlined two permissible ways for believers to fulfill their desires:
  1. Through marriage with free women.
  2. Through permissible relations with bondwomen.
Then Allah said:

"But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors."
(Surah Al-Mu’minun: 7)
This means that whoever seeks to fulfill their desires outside these two permissible ways is guilty of transgression and injustice.

② The Second Reason:

From a medical perspective, it has been established that this habit has severe negative consequences on physical and mental health. This is especially true for those who indulge in it frequently.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"Do not cause harm or reciprocate harm."
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 2867 – Hasan)
Therefore, it is impermissible for a Muslim to engage in any act that causes harm to themselves or others.

Additionally, those who adopt this habit fall under the purview of Allah's statement:

"Do you exchange that which is better for that which is worse?"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 61)
This act replaces the natural and pure means of fulfilling desires (marriage) with an unnatural and harmful method.

Advice of the Prophet (ﷺ):

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised the youth:

"O young men, whoever among you is able to marry, let him marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one’s chastity. And whoever is not able to do so, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him."
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 4779; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1400)

This guidance encourages marriage as the ideal means to fulfill desires and fasting as a remedy for those unable to marry, as it suppresses sexual urges and promotes self-control.

(Source: Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani رحمه الله)
 
Back
Top