DON’T MASTURBATE

DON’T MASTURBATE PLEASE READ THE WHOLE

Ruling on masturbation and treatment of the problem:

Question : 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 dilayals from the Quran and Sunnah).
I hope you can help and I hope Allah will forgive me if it is inappropriate to ask about this (masturbate) but as Muslims we should never be shy in seeking knowledge.

Her question was “Is it permissible in Islam to masturbate?”.

May Allaah forgive us and increase us all in knowledge.
Praise be to Allaah.

Masturbation (for both men and women) is haraam (forbidden) in Islam based on the following evidence:

First from the Qur’aan:
Imam 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 them, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.”
Al-Quran 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 Allaah enriches them of His bounty.”
Al-Quran 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 Allaah enriches them of His bounty.

Secondly, from the sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):

Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood said, “We were with the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) while we were young and had no wealth whatsoever. So Allaah’s Messenger said,”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 masturbate, we recommend the following suggestions:

1) Fear Allah

The motive to seek a cure for this problem should be solely following Allaah’s orders and fearing His punishment.

2) Do Marriage

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) Keep yourself busy

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) Lowe your gaze

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, Allaah 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.) …..”
Al-Quran 24 : 30-31

Allaah’s messenger said :

“Do not follow a casual (unintentional) look (at forbidden things) with another look.” Al-Tirmidhi 2777.

This is a general instruction by the Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to abstain from all that may sexually excite a person because it might lead him/her to commit the haraam (forbidden).

5) Increase religious knowledge

Using one’s available leisure time in worshipping Allaah and increasing religious knowledge.

6) Health Problems by Masturbate

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 and also hair loss. 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.
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.

8) Following the Prophet’s afore mentioned 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.

9) Trying to follow the Prophet Mohammad’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 Mohammad forbade sleeping on the belly).

10) 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.

11) 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.

12) Allaah is the Most Merciful

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. And Allah knows what is best and most correct.

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The Ruling on Masturbate :

Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee (May Allaah have mercy on him)

Al-Asaalah Magazine (Issue #3)

Question: What is the ruling on masturbation?

Answer: We have no doubts regarding the forbiddance of such a practice (masturbate). And this is due to two reasons, the first of which is the saying of Allaah, the Most High, concerning the description of the believers:

“Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayer with full submissiveness. And those who turn away from false and vain talk. And those who pay the Zakaah. And those who guard their chastity – Except with their wives or (slaves) that their right hands possess, for (in that) they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.” [Surah Al-Mu’minoon: 1-8]

Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee used this ayah as proof for the forbiddance of masturbating.

This is since, in this ayah, Allaah has placed two ways for the true believers to fulfill their desires – either by marrying free women or by enjoying the slave women and female war captives. Then He says: ”But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors” meaning: Whoever desires a way by which to transmit his desires, apart from these two ways of marriage and taking female war captives, then he is a transgressor and a wrongdoer.

As for the second reason, then it has been medically established that there are unhealthy consequences for the one who does such an act (masturbate).

And that there are harms to the health caused by this practice, especially for those who constantly engage in it day and night. It is reported on the Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he said: ”Do not harm and do not be harmed.” Thus it is not permissible for a Muslim to engage in anything that will cause harm to himself or to others.

There is one more thing that must be mentioned and it is that those who engage themselves in this (masturbate) practice fall under the statement of Allaah:

“Will you exchange that which is lower for that which is better?” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 61]

Also there has been reported on the Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that which further confirms this forbiddance (masturbate) and it is his saying:

“O you group of young men! Whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him marry, for indeed it is the best means for lowering one’s gaze and the best way to protect one’s private parts. And whosoever is not able, then let him fast, for indeed it will be a shield for him.”

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