A Touchy Subject - Female Masturbation in Islam and Muslim Cultures
Masturbation refers to the self-stimulation of the genitalia. Most scholars say masturbation is haram (prohibited), however some scholars say it is halal (permissible) or makruh (disliked), including Companions of the Prophet and some prominent scholars such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Aqeel. Many contemporary scholars such as Imam al-Shawkani (d. 1834) and Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi (d. 2022) considered masturbation to be halal (permissible) or recommended in Islam if someone fears committing zina (fornication/adultery), as it is the "lesser of two evils" and there is no explicit text from the Qur'an or authentic hadith which prohibits masturbation. However, there are many fabricated and weak hadiths about masturbation Imam al-Shawkani said is not authentic so cannot be relied upon to give an Islamic ruling.
Some of the companions of the Prophet (saw), such as Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas did not consider masturbation to be prohibited (haram). Self-stimulation was well-known amongst the Companions and the salaf (pious predecessors) of Muslims. Mujahid, a student of Ibn Abbas said, "Those before us, would advise young men and women to do this to safeguard themselves from zina (adultery/fornication). Other scholars reported that some of the Companions engaged in self-pleasure when they were away from their wives on jihad or travelling.
Sex therapist and Egyptian sexologist, Heba Kotb said, “Neither the Qur'an nor the Sunna, however, address masturbation. My advice is that it’s OK to masturbate, but only if you need it badly. Masturbation has become more prevalent here [in Egypt] because sex is forbidden outside marriage.”
Some of the companions of the Prophet (saw), such as Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas did not consider masturbation to be prohibited (haram). Self-stimulation was well-known amongst the Companions and the salaf (pious predecessors) of Muslims. Mujahid, a student of Ibn Abbas said, "Those before us, would advise young men and women to do this to safeguard themselves from zina (adultery/fornication). Other scholars reported that some of the Companions engaged in self-pleasure when they were away from their wives on jihad or travelling.
Sex therapist and Egyptian sexologist, Heba Kotb said, “Neither the Qur'an nor the Sunna, however, address masturbation. My advice is that it’s OK to masturbate, but only if you need it badly. Masturbation has become more prevalent here [in Egypt] because sex is forbidden outside marriage.”