(بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، والصلاة والسلام على حبيبنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وعلى من اتبع صراطه المستقيم.) In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and upon all those who follow his righteous path.
Dear Readers,
(السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.) May Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah be upon you.
Throughout life's journey, various questions naturally arise within the depths of our minds. Today, I wish to share insights on a significant inquiry that often becomes a focal point for many, particularly amongst our youth, and frequently gives rise to differing perspectives. It is a question that has been posed by numerous individuals, and today, I aim to address it with wisdom and clarity (إن شاء الله).
Discover More Valuable Insights:
The matter of "the ruling on masturbation in Islam" is a topic that frequently occupies our discussions. This is because its proper understanding necessitates a profound grasp of Islamic teachings, coupled with intellectual prudence and a consideration of the complexities of the human psyche.
From the perspective of both a student of Islamic knowledge and a physician with insights into psychological well-being, I intend to shed light on this issue. My aim is to bridge the understanding of Shari'ah (الشريعة) principles with an appreciation for the intricacies of the human mind.
Allow us to illuminate the reality and the righteous path concerning this matter, guided by the radiant light of Islam, so that clarity may dawn upon us all. By the grace of Allah (إن شاء الله), we shall delve into the answer to your pertinent question through a comprehensive analysis, encompassing three vital perspectives:
🤍. The Sacred Islamic Texts and the Prophetic Wisdom (Hadith): We shall explore the foundational principles of our faith and the guiding traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to understand its stance.
🤎. The Learnt Opinions of Esteemed Scholars: We will examine the diverse interpretations and reasoned judgements of our revered Islamic scholars throughout history, recognizing the depth and breadth of their knowledge.
💙 The Informed Perspective of a Medical Practitioner: As one trained in the science of medicine, including an understanding of the human psyche, I will offer insights into the physiological and psychological dimensions relevant to this discussion.
Join us as we embark on this enlightening journey, seeking a holistic understanding that integrates faith, intellect, and empirical observation. Stay with us as we embark on a balanced and insightful discussion on this sensitive topic.
🔍 The Ruling on Masturbation in Islam:
I would like to clarify at the outset that while most scholars consider it haram, a large group considers it Makruh (مكروه) and another group considers it Mubah (مباح).
📚 Basically, we see three views—
1️⃣ Most Scholars say:
Masturbation is Haram (forbidden). According to the verses of the Quran and the sources of Fiqah, it is a violation of the limits of Sharia.
2️⃣ Another Group says:
It is Makruh (discouraged) — meaning, it should not be done, but doing it is not a major sin. Especially when it protects against major sins like adultery.
3️⃣ The Third Group says:
It is Mubah (permissible) — meaning that it is not explicitly declared haram in Sharia, so it is not a sin if it is not associated with something haram.
Today, we will discuss these views, and I will share my own view at the end.
🚫 Majority Opinion: Masturbation is Haram (الحرم):
Most scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, especially those following the Shafi'i and Maliki schools of thought, agree that masturbation is Haram (الحرام).
Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) based on this ruling, cited the verse from Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:5-7), where Allah says:
“And those who guard their private parts—
Except for their wives or those whom their right hands possess.
Then whoever desires anything beyond that,
then they are the transgressors.”
This verse implies—
✅ Legal sexual relations are only with wives or lawful slaves.
❌ Any other means, such as masturbation, are transgressions and sins.
Imam Shafi'i (RA) and scholars who hold this view say that masturbation falls within the circle of prohibitions of Sharia and that it weakens the soul and reduces piety.
🌿 Alternative explanation: Masturbation is not included:
According to a group of scholars, the instruction in the verse of Surah Muminun "Protect their private parts" refers directly to sexual intercourse, not other forms of sexual intercourse. Their argument is: Since masturbation is not included in sexual intercourse, it does not fall under this prohibition.
Some jurists, including Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, say: "Masturbation may be permissible if there is a fear of adultery/fornication."
In the words of Dr. Zakir Naik: "There is no direct prohibition in the Quran and Hadith, so it is a matter of personal desire (Mubah)."
According to this interpretation, masturbation does not fall under the prohibition in this verse, because it is not a form of sexual intercourse.
The Prophet's (ﷺ)) Instruction: "Marry or Fast". Another argument against masturbation comes from the hadith found in Sahih Bukhari (Volume 7, Hadith 5066), where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "O young men, whoever is able to marry should marry, for it will help lower your gaze and protect your modesty. And whoever is unable to marry should fast, for it will reduce your sexual desire."
The first group of scholars who consider masturbation to be haram argue that since the Prophet did not say "Masturbation," this implies that masturbation is not an acceptable option. They insist that fasting is the recommended solution for those who are unable to marry.
However, this argument is flawed. Just because the Prophet did not mention masturbation does not automatically make it haram. There is no evidence from the Quran or the Sahih Hadith to declare something haram. There must be strong evidence. The absence of masturbation in this context does not mean that it is forbidden.
📖 Scholarly View:
🌼 Makruh = Discouraged (مكروه):
“Makruh” means discouraged —
❌ It is forbidden (not completely forbidden),
✅ but not desirable either.
The great companion Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Masturbation is better than fornication, but marriage is better.” This statement makes it clear that if one wants to protect oneself from the fear of illicit relations, then masturbation is not so much abhorrent, but Islam encourages marriage as a better alternative.
According to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Masturbation is Makruh, but if it protects one from a major sin like fornication, then it may be partially permissible.
We need to understand that Islam does not just prohibit it, but rather offers a tolerant solution that understands human nature and instincts. Therefore, while masturbation is permissible in extreme cases, the ideal solution is marriage and self-control.
🔹 Mubah = Permissible (مباح):
There is another group of Islamic scholars who view the matter differently. These scholars, including some of the respected students of Ibn Abbas (RA), consider masturbation to be Mubah, i.e. permissible.
The basis of their wise reasoning is that masturbation is not explicitly prohibited in the Holy Quran and authentic Hadith. Since there is no explicit prohibition, it cannot be considered a sin for those who engage in this act.
This view brings to our attention an important principle of Islamic law – for an act to be considered haram, it requires clear and irrefutable evidence.
🩸 Medical Science: The importance of Truth and Moderation
Masturbation is a very common and widespread behavior. Studies have shown that about 95% of men and 80% of women do it. However, this does not mean that it is the norm or completely normal; This is a human tendency, which is often used to satisfy mental stress and sexual needs.
Myth Busting:
Many people believe that masturbation causes blindness or neurological problems. But modern medical science has proven these ideas completely wrong. Masturbation in moderation does not cause any physical harm. However, excessive masturbation can cause problems such as fatigue, mental stress, and decreased sexual ability.
This is a natural human tendency, but moderation is important. You can seek expert advice to control the urge to masturbate.
Warning:
Although excessive masturbation does not cause infertility or permanent physical damage, if excessive, sperm quality may be affected to some extent. Therefore, it is important to maintain moderation.
🎯 My Opinion on Masturbation in the light of Islamic and Medical Science:
In the light of the opinions of Islamic scholars and modern medical science, I see masturbation as makruh (discouraged). That is, it is not a sin, but it is better to avoid it. There is no explicit mention of it as haram in the Quran or Sahih Hadith, so it is not reasonable to consider it haram.
Many renowned scholars such as Ibn Abbas (RA), Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, etc. have called it makruh or discouraged.
In the words of Dr. Zakir Naik: "There is no direct prohibition in the Quran and Hadith, so it is a matter of personal desire (mubah)".
✔️ It is better to avoid Masturbation:
Those who can, should get married or control their sexual desires by fasting as recommended by the Prophet.
If that is not possible, masturbation can be done in moderation, but it should not be excessive.
⚠️ Stay away from forbidden activities:
Masturbation becomes forbidden if it is combined with forbidden activities such as watching pornography. Therefore, it is important to be careful of these.
💡 Fight Guilt:
If you feel guilty because of masturbation, remember that guilt can prevent you from doing good deeds. In Islam, repentance and Allah's mercy are always open.
According to scholars, masturbation is not a sin unless it is combined with excessive or forbidden activities.
For those who cannot marry and cannot control their sexual desires, masturbation is permissible. However, it is better to avoid it, and fasting is a better option. If you masturbate, maintain moderation and stay away from forbidden activities.
📢 Invitation for All:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever teaches beneficial knowledge, if he acts on it, he will have a reward equal to that deed, without any decrease in the reward of the doer." (Sunan Ibn Majah, 240).
Therefore, please share this post with others by liking, sharing, and upvoting. Spread knowledge, spread light — and share the reward.
Perhaps, through one of your shares, many people will be able to return to the path of light from the darkness of despair and you will also receive the reward of spreading its knowledge. May Allah grant you and all of us peace of mind, health, and success. (آ-مين) .
#Islam #IslamicPerspective #Hadith #ScholarlyViews #Fiqh
Jazaku Allah Khairan. (جزاك الله خيرا.)
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. If you are struggling with anger management, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional.
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