The Secret Habit - Masturbation in Islam
Masturbation refers to the self-stimulation of the genitalia. In Arabic, masturbation is also called 'the secret habit' or 'marriage with the hand.' Most scholars say masturbation is haram (prohibited), however some scholars such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Aqeel and others consider masturbation to be permissible (halal) in Islam, or permissible if someone fears committing zina (fornication/adultery), as it is the "lesser of two evils."
The Musannaf of Ibn Abu Shaybah has a chapter with traditions from the companions and early Muslims about masturbation. 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.
Egyptian sexologist, Heba Kotb believes it is okay to masturbate if a person needs it badly, as the Qur'an and Sunnah do not explicitly forbid self-stimulation.
In summary there are three opinions regarding masturbation (self-stimulation);
Masturbation refers to the self-stimulation of the genitalia. In Arabic, masturbation is also called 'the secret habit' or 'marriage with the hand.' Most scholars say masturbation is haram (prohibited), however some scholars such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Aqeel and others consider masturbation to be permissible (halal) in Islam, or permissible if someone fears committing zina (fornication/adultery), as it is the "lesser of two evils."
The Musannaf of Ibn Abu Shaybah has a chapter with traditions from the companions and early Muslims about masturbation. 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.
Egyptian sexologist, Heba Kotb believes it is okay to masturbate if a person needs it badly, as the Qur'an and Sunnah do not explicitly forbid self-stimulation.
In summary there are three opinions regarding masturbation (self-stimulation);
- Masturbation is forbidden (haram) - Majority of traditional jurists including Imam Malik and Shafi'i
- Masturbation is disliked (makruh) - Ibn Abbas, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hazm
- Masturbation is permissible (halal) - Ibn Umar, Mujahid, Hasan al-Basri, Imam al-Shawkani
Fabricated and Weak Hadiths About Masturbation
There are a number of fabricated and weak hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about masturbation. However, Yemeni scholar Imam al-Shawkani said there is no authentic hadith that prohibits masturbation.
Below are some dubious hadiths about masturbation that are found in some classical books of fiqh (Islamic law), tafsir (commentary of the Qur'an) and ilm al-bah (erotology) by Muslim scholars;
Some jurists cited these hadiths to give their legal opinion (fatwa) on the impermissibility of self-stimulation. However, these aforementioned statements were hadiths were not said by the Prophet Muhammad (saw), they were words by scholars or people wanting to discourage masturbation.
There are a number of fabricated and weak hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about masturbation. However, Yemeni scholar Imam al-Shawkani said there is no authentic hadith that prohibits masturbation.
Below are some dubious hadiths about masturbation that are found in some classical books of fiqh (Islamic law), tafsir (commentary of the Qur'an) and ilm al-bah (erotology) by Muslim scholars;
- "On the Day of Judgement, a masturbator will be brought back to life with his hand pregnant."
- "The masturbator is cursed" - ناکح الید ملعون
- "On the Day of Judgement, Allah will not look at, or purify a person who masturbates."
Some jurists cited these hadiths to give their legal opinion (fatwa) on the impermissibility of self-stimulation. However, these aforementioned statements were hadiths were not said by the Prophet Muhammad (saw), they were words by scholars or people wanting to discourage masturbation.
Scholars Who Said Masturbation Was Permissible
Below is a summary of scholars who said masturbation was permissible for men and women in certain circumstances.
1. Al-Mawsu’a al-Fiqhiyyah (vol 4, pg. 98):وَفِي قَوْلٍ لِلْحَنَفِيَّةِ، وَالشَّافِعِيَّةِ، وَالإِْمَامِ أَحْمَدَ: أَنَّهُ مَكْرُوهٌ تَنْزِيهًا
The view of some Hanafi Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad: Masturbation is Makruh Tanzihi (i.e. it is not severely condemned nor wrong to the extent of haram and nor is a person punished for it).
وَإِنْ كَانَ الاِسْتِمْنَاءُ بِالْيَدِ لِتَسْكِينِ الشَّهْوَةِ الْمُفْرِطَةِ الْغَالِبَةِ الَّتِي يُخْشَى مَعَهَا الزِّنَى فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ فِي الْجُمْلَةِ، بَل قِيل بِوُجُوبِهِ
If masturbation with the hand happens to pacify extreme lust that overcomes a person and one fears doing zina (adultery) because of it, then it is allowed in general, in fact some have said it is obligatory.
2. Zayn al-Din Ibn Nujaym in al-Bahr al-Ra’iq Sharh Kanz al-Daqa’iq (vol. 2, pg. 293, also Dar Al-Ifta Al-Missriyyah)
وَهَلْ يَحِلُّ الِاسْتِمْنَاءُ بِالْكَفِّ خَارِجَ رَمَضَانَ إنْ أَرَادَ الشَّهْوَةَ لَا يَحِلُّ لِقَوْلِهِ – عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ – «نَاكِحُ الْيَدِ مَلْعُونٌ» ، وَإِنْ أَرَادَ تَسْكِينَ الشَّهْوَةِ يُرْجَى أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَيْهِ وَبَالٌ كَذَا فِي الْوَلْوَالِجيَّةِ
It is permitted to masturbate with the hand outside of Ramadhan?
If it is for seeking lust, then it is not allowed because of the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) "The one who has sex with the hand is cursed." But if he wants to simply pacify his already existing lust, it is assumed there is no consequence for him, as it is mentioned in al-Walwaljiya. [This hadith of the Prophet is not authentic]
(قَوْلُهُ: وَإِنْ أَرَادَ تَسْكِينَ الشَّهْوَةِ) أَيْ الشَّهْوَةِ الْمُفْرِطَةِ الشَّاغِلَةِ لِلْقَلْبِ، وَكَانَ عَزَبًا لَا زَوْجَةَ لَهُ، وَلَا أَمَةَ أَوْ كَانَ إلَّا أَنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْوُصُولِ إلَيْهَا لِعُذْرٍ كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ
His words “but if he wants to pacify his lust” means (masturbation is permitted if) the lust is extreme that it occupies the heart, and he is single without a wife nor slave, or he does but he cannot reach her for a reason. As it is mentioned in al-Siraj al-Wajjah.
3. Maliki scholar Abu Qanit al-Sharif al-Hasani in “The Guiding Helper” (pg. 190):
Self-masturbation (also known as self-stimulation) is permissible if done in private (alone or in the presence of one’s spouse) and without pornography (or other illicit materials, such as drugs). Self masturbation is unlawful if done in public (in front of another person other than one’s spouse) or if done with the aid of pornography (or other materials illicit in our din, such as narcotics). The above two rulings apply equally to both males and females.
4. Abdel-Bari Zamzami:
فقلت إن الاستمناء هو استنزال المني بدون جماع ويكون من الرجل ومن المرأة، ويسميه الناس (العادة السرية) وهو غير محرم لأنه ليس بزنا، وإنما هو مس الرجل فرجه أو مس المرأة فرجها ـ كما قال ابن حزم ـ وليس ذلك بحرام، وأجازه الإمام أحمد وقال إنه إخراج فضلة من البدن فجاز عند الحاجة
I said, "masturbation is ejaculation without intercourse and can be for both men and women. People call it a “secret habit” and it is not prohibited because it is not zina. It is only a man touching his private part or a woman touching her private part – as Ibn Hazm says – and this act is not haram. Imam Ahmad also allowed this and said it is just a removal of the extra liquid from the body and he permitted this when it was necessary."
5. Ibn ‘Aqeel the Hanbali, as quoted by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya in Badāʾiʿ al-Fawāʾid (vol. 4, pg. 96-97) quoting the views of many Hanbali scholars:
إذا قدر الرجل على التزوج أو التسري حرم عليه الاستمناء بيده قال ابن عقيل: “وأصحابنا وشيخنا لم يذكروا سوى الكراهة لم يطلقوا التحريم”
وإن كان متردد الحال بين الفتور والشهوة ولا زوجه له وله أمة ولا يتزوج به كره ولم يحرم وإن كان مغلوبا على شهوته يخاف العنت كالأسير والمسافر والفقير جاز له ذلك نص عليه أحمد رضي الله عنه وروي أن الصحابة كانوا يفعلونه في غزواتهم وأسفارهم
وإن كانت امرأة لا زوج لها واشتدت غلمتها فقال بعض أصحابنا: يجوز لها اتخاذ الاكرنبج وهو شيء يعمل من جلود على صورة الذكر فتستدخله المرأة أو ما أشبه ذلك من قثاء وقرع صغار.
If a man can marry or capture a slave, it is haram for him to masturbate with his hand.
Ibn ‘Aqeel said: “Our companions and scholars did not say anything about it except that it was disliked (makruh), but they did not consider it prohibited (tahreem).”
If a person is confused between his state, if he is in a lustful state or not, and he does not have a wife, but he has a slave which he is not married to, it is makruh (disliked) for him to masturbate, but it is not haram (prohibited). If his lust overtakes him such that he fears distress, like a prisoner, traveller or poor person, then it is allowed. [Imam] Ahmad [ibn Hanbal] explicitly said this and transmitted that the Companions [of the Prophet] would masturbate during their battles and journeys.
If a woman who does not have a husband and she gets very heated (due to desire), then some of our companions have said: "It is allowed for her to use a keeranj (dildo) which is anything that is made from a skin in the form of a penis, that a woman will put inside her, or anything else similar to that such as small cucumbers and squash.
Below is a summary of scholars who said masturbation was permissible for men and women in certain circumstances.
1. Al-Mawsu’a al-Fiqhiyyah (vol 4, pg. 98):وَفِي قَوْلٍ لِلْحَنَفِيَّةِ، وَالشَّافِعِيَّةِ، وَالإِْمَامِ أَحْمَدَ: أَنَّهُ مَكْرُوهٌ تَنْزِيهًا
The view of some Hanafi Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad: Masturbation is Makruh Tanzihi (i.e. it is not severely condemned nor wrong to the extent of haram and nor is a person punished for it).
وَإِنْ كَانَ الاِسْتِمْنَاءُ بِالْيَدِ لِتَسْكِينِ الشَّهْوَةِ الْمُفْرِطَةِ الْغَالِبَةِ الَّتِي يُخْشَى مَعَهَا الزِّنَى فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ فِي الْجُمْلَةِ، بَل قِيل بِوُجُوبِهِ
If masturbation with the hand happens to pacify extreme lust that overcomes a person and one fears doing zina (adultery) because of it, then it is allowed in general, in fact some have said it is obligatory.
2. Zayn al-Din Ibn Nujaym in al-Bahr al-Ra’iq Sharh Kanz al-Daqa’iq (vol. 2, pg. 293, also Dar Al-Ifta Al-Missriyyah)
وَهَلْ يَحِلُّ الِاسْتِمْنَاءُ بِالْكَفِّ خَارِجَ رَمَضَانَ إنْ أَرَادَ الشَّهْوَةَ لَا يَحِلُّ لِقَوْلِهِ – عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ – «نَاكِحُ الْيَدِ مَلْعُونٌ» ، وَإِنْ أَرَادَ تَسْكِينَ الشَّهْوَةِ يُرْجَى أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَيْهِ وَبَالٌ كَذَا فِي الْوَلْوَالِجيَّةِ
It is permitted to masturbate with the hand outside of Ramadhan?
If it is for seeking lust, then it is not allowed because of the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) "The one who has sex with the hand is cursed." But if he wants to simply pacify his already existing lust, it is assumed there is no consequence for him, as it is mentioned in al-Walwaljiya. [This hadith of the Prophet is not authentic]
(قَوْلُهُ: وَإِنْ أَرَادَ تَسْكِينَ الشَّهْوَةِ) أَيْ الشَّهْوَةِ الْمُفْرِطَةِ الشَّاغِلَةِ لِلْقَلْبِ، وَكَانَ عَزَبًا لَا زَوْجَةَ لَهُ، وَلَا أَمَةَ أَوْ كَانَ إلَّا أَنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْوُصُولِ إلَيْهَا لِعُذْرٍ كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ
His words “but if he wants to pacify his lust” means (masturbation is permitted if) the lust is extreme that it occupies the heart, and he is single without a wife nor slave, or he does but he cannot reach her for a reason. As it is mentioned in al-Siraj al-Wajjah.
3. Maliki scholar Abu Qanit al-Sharif al-Hasani in “The Guiding Helper” (pg. 190):
Self-masturbation (also known as self-stimulation) is permissible if done in private (alone or in the presence of one’s spouse) and without pornography (or other illicit materials, such as drugs). Self masturbation is unlawful if done in public (in front of another person other than one’s spouse) or if done with the aid of pornography (or other materials illicit in our din, such as narcotics). The above two rulings apply equally to both males and females.
4. Abdel-Bari Zamzami:
فقلت إن الاستمناء هو استنزال المني بدون جماع ويكون من الرجل ومن المرأة، ويسميه الناس (العادة السرية) وهو غير محرم لأنه ليس بزنا، وإنما هو مس الرجل فرجه أو مس المرأة فرجها ـ كما قال ابن حزم ـ وليس ذلك بحرام، وأجازه الإمام أحمد وقال إنه إخراج فضلة من البدن فجاز عند الحاجة
I said, "masturbation is ejaculation without intercourse and can be for both men and women. People call it a “secret habit” and it is not prohibited because it is not zina. It is only a man touching his private part or a woman touching her private part – as Ibn Hazm says – and this act is not haram. Imam Ahmad also allowed this and said it is just a removal of the extra liquid from the body and he permitted this when it was necessary."
5. Ibn ‘Aqeel the Hanbali, as quoted by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya in Badāʾiʿ al-Fawāʾid (vol. 4, pg. 96-97) quoting the views of many Hanbali scholars:
إذا قدر الرجل على التزوج أو التسري حرم عليه الاستمناء بيده قال ابن عقيل: “وأصحابنا وشيخنا لم يذكروا سوى الكراهة لم يطلقوا التحريم”
وإن كان متردد الحال بين الفتور والشهوة ولا زوجه له وله أمة ولا يتزوج به كره ولم يحرم وإن كان مغلوبا على شهوته يخاف العنت كالأسير والمسافر والفقير جاز له ذلك نص عليه أحمد رضي الله عنه وروي أن الصحابة كانوا يفعلونه في غزواتهم وأسفارهم
وإن كانت امرأة لا زوج لها واشتدت غلمتها فقال بعض أصحابنا: يجوز لها اتخاذ الاكرنبج وهو شيء يعمل من جلود على صورة الذكر فتستدخله المرأة أو ما أشبه ذلك من قثاء وقرع صغار.
If a man can marry or capture a slave, it is haram for him to masturbate with his hand.
Ibn ‘Aqeel said: “Our companions and scholars did not say anything about it except that it was disliked (makruh), but they did not consider it prohibited (tahreem).”
If a person is confused between his state, if he is in a lustful state or not, and he does not have a wife, but he has a slave which he is not married to, it is makruh (disliked) for him to masturbate, but it is not haram (prohibited). If his lust overtakes him such that he fears distress, like a prisoner, traveller or poor person, then it is allowed. [Imam] Ahmad [ibn Hanbal] explicitly said this and transmitted that the Companions [of the Prophet] would masturbate during their battles and journeys.
If a woman who does not have a husband and she gets very heated (due to desire), then some of our companions have said: "It is allowed for her to use a keeranj (dildo) which is anything that is made from a skin in the form of a penis, that a woman will put inside her, or anything else similar to that such as small cucumbers and squash.
6. Imam Shawkani in Bulugh al-Muna fi Hukm al-Istimna (pg. 85-86):
There is nothing in the book of Allah nor the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him), no authentic evidence, neither weak evidence, that prohibits masturbation. Rather, when it is necessary it is mubah (permissible). If the necessity gets severe and the need increases, to the extent that a person fears that it will cause bodily harm, then masturbation is like using medicine and so its permissibility is even greater.
Know that the ruling for the women is the same as the ruling for men, in everything we have mentioned.
Know that the ruling for the women is the same as the ruling for men, in everything we have mentioned.
7. Sheikh Ibrahim al-Salom:
(02:17) We say, if a person needs to masturbate, and he knows he will fall into zina, then there is no problem in doing so.
(02:17) We say, if a person needs to masturbate, and he knows he will fall into zina, then there is no problem in doing so.
8. Saudi scholar Khaled Al-Mosleh – son in law of Sheikh Uthaymeen
(01:50) When there is a need, such that a person fears he will fall in a sin, or if he feels very distressed and constrained by not ejaculating, then it is allowed to masturbate to relive himself from these harms and distress.
(02:35) If they have tried other ways (like fasting) and none of them work, and there is a lot of distress and difficulty – like some people who ask say that they stay up during the nights crying – then in this situation there is no issue with it.
(01:50) When there is a need, such that a person fears he will fall in a sin, or if he feels very distressed and constrained by not ejaculating, then it is allowed to masturbate to relive himself from these harms and distress.
(02:35) If they have tried other ways (like fasting) and none of them work, and there is a lot of distress and difficulty – like some people who ask say that they stay up during the nights crying – then in this situation there is no issue with it.
9. Sheikh Muhammad al-Firaj:
(01:30) …if one fears zina, or they are living in a society where there are a lot of detested things occurring, then there is no problem (in masturbation), or if he faces an illness where if he does not masturbate, he will face a lot of harm, then these are from the necessities and Allah knows best.
(01:30) …if one fears zina, or they are living in a society where there are a lot of detested things occurring, then there is no problem (in masturbation), or if he faces an illness where if he does not masturbate, he will face a lot of harm, then these are from the necessities and Allah knows best.
10. Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Al-Zoghbi – Egyptian scholar:
(02:56) Summary of the discussion is that: It is makruh (disliked), and if you are extravagant with it (do it more than you need to) then it is haram.
(02:56) Summary of the discussion is that: It is makruh (disliked), and if you are extravagant with it (do it more than you need to) then it is haram.
. Islam Web Fatwa #99923:
وأما من يفعلها مضطراً إلى فعلها اضطراراً شديداً جداً، فإننا لا نقول إنها تباح له، ولكن نقول: إن المرء إذا استحكمت الشهوة منه وبلغت مبلغها بحيث لا يستطيع دفعها إلا بالعادة السرية أو الوقوع في الفاحشة فلا شك أن ارتكاب أخف المفسدتين أهون من ارتكاب الخطيئة الكبرى،
As for someone who masturbates out of severe pressure, then we do not say it is permissible, rather we say a person realises that the desires have increased to the extent that he cannot get rid of this pressure except through masturbation or by falling into a sin, then there is no doubt that committing the less severe act is easier than falling into a grave sin.
12. Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen – as cited in Fatwa #130996:
والحاجة نوعان: أولاً: حاجة دينية. ثانياً: حاجة بدنية. أما الحاجة الدينية فهو أن يخشى الإنسان على نفسه من الزنا، بأن يكون في بلد يتمكن من الزنا بسهولة، فإذا اشتدت به الشهوة، فإما أن يطفئها بهذا الفعل، وإما أن يذهب إلى أي مكان من دور البغايا ويزني، فنقول له: هذه حاجة شرعية؛ لأن القاعدة المقررة في الشرع أنه يجب أن ندفع أعلى المفسدتين بأدناهما، وهذا هو العقل؛ فإذا كان هذا الإنسان لابد أن يأتي شهوته، فإما هذا وإما هذا، فإنا نقول حينئذٍ: يباح له هذا الفعل للضرورة. أما الحاجة البدنية، فأن يخشى الإنسان على بدنه من الضرر إذا لم يُخرج هذا الفائض الذي عنده؛ لأن بعض الناس قد يكون قوي الشهوة، فإذا لم يخرج هذا الفائض الذي عنده فإنه يحصل به تعقد في نفسه، ويكره أن يعاشر الناس وأن يجلس معهم. فإذا كان يخشى على نفسه من الضرر فإنه يجوز له أن يفعل هذا الفعل؛ لأنها حاجة بدنية.
Need is of two types: religious need and bodily need. Religious need is if a person fears falling into Zina, such as if they are living in a country where they can fornicate easily. If their desires increase, they can either get rid of their desire through masturbation or by going to any place to a prostitute and fornicate. We say for this: This is a religious need, because the established principle in the Shari’ah is to repel the greater harm with the lower harm – this is what the intellect says. So if this person has no choice but to do either of the two acts to do away with his desires, then we say: It is allowed for him to do it due to necessity.
As for bodily needs, then that is if a person fears harm on their body if a build up of sperm is not ejaculated, because some people have a very strong desire. If this build up is not ejaculated then they develop stress, and do not even like dealing with people or sitting with them. If a person fears this type of harm tot he body, then he is allowed to masturbate because it is a bodily need.
13. Ibn Najjar (d. 972):
Ibn Najjar mentioned in ‘Muntaha’ that the Hanbali school of fiqh view masturbation to be haram (prohibited) when there is no need for it. This applies to both a man and a woman, but if they do it due to fear of fornication then it’s allowed.
(منتهى الإرادات /143-144 Vol 5)
14. Amr Ibn Dinar (d. 744):
Amr ibn Dinar said: “There is no harm in masturbation.”
(Musanaf Abdur Razzaq/ #13594)
15. Ibn Abbas (d. 687):
Ibn Abbas said regarding masturbation: “It’s better than committing zina”
A young man came to Ibn Abbas, and all the older men stood up, whilst the young man was seated. So some of the people said: “Get up young man”. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “Allow him, for something has caused him to sit”. When the place was deserted, he said: “O Ibn ‘Abbaas. I am a young man who feels very lustful, (so much so that) I caress my penis until I come?” Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “It is better than zina, but having sex with a slave-girl is better than it”.
Ibn ‘Abbas is reported to have said: “It is nothing but the caressing of one of you of ;his penis, until his fluid is released”
16. Al-Hasan Al-Basri (d. 728):
Al-Hasan saw no harm with masturbation. He said that the Companions used to do this when they were on long expeditions away from their wives.
17. Ibn Umar (d. 693):
Ibn ‘Umar said about masturbation: “Indeed, it is a nerve that you fondle”.
18. Mujahid (d. 722):
Mujahid, an eminent scholar and student of Ibn Abbas, said about masturbation: “Those before us would advise young men and women to do this to safe themselves from zina (adultery/fornication).”
He was also reported to have said, "Those from our predecessors used to command their young to masturbate, and the woman as well to enter something (in her).” It was asked: “What’s ‘to enter something’ mean?” Mujahid said: “He means a sihq” Mujaahid says: “To keep her from zina”.
A sihq is a wooden masher in a phallic shape. Like a dildo.
19. Jabir Ibn Zayd:
Jabir ibn Zayd, a student of Ibn Abbas, said about masturbation: “It is your fluid, you may do with it as you please.”
20. Qatadah:
Qatadah said about the Companions and masturbation: “They used to do it (masturbate) when they went out for battles; a man would caress his penis until he ejaculated”. Qatadah said: “al-Hasan [al-Basri] said about the man who masturbates until he comes, he said: ‘They used to do that in the battles’”.
21. Ibn Hazm:
Ibn Hazm (d. 1064) says in al-Muhalla concerning masturbation: “We dislike it, for it is not from the virtuous characteristics, nor from the good qualities”. Their refusal to accept the use of the verses in surah al-mumineen (24:4-6), (as evidence) is questionable. For the scholars agree upon the prohibition of bestiality, and the evidence used is this Qur'anic verse (as for the hadiths on the topic, then they are all weak). And like they prohibit bestiality by that verse, and arguing that it is not permissible to enjoy one's private parts except with the wife or slave girl, then it is binding upon them to prohibit masturbation as well, and there is no difference. As for masturbating with your wife’s hand, then the scholars have permitted it.
22. Al-Mardawi:
The distinguished Hanbali jurist al-Mardawi (d. 1058) – in his famous work Al-Insaf – after summarizing the Hanbali position on the issue of masturbation states: “I would like to add two points in this context: Masturbation or induced ejaculation is not allowed except in the case of dire necessity… secondly, the woman is like a man in this matter; so, she is to use a device like a penis when she fears falling into zina. Then he adds: This is the authentic ruling (of the school), and the author has reckoned it in al-Furu’ as the preferred ruling on this issue.”
23. Ibn Taymiyyah:
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328) was asked about masturbation: “Is it prohibited or not?” He answered in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa [35/229]: “As for masturbation with the hand, then it is prohibited according to the majority of scholars, and this is the more correct saying in the school of [Imam] Ahmad [ibn Hanbal]. Its doer is admonished. The other saying is that it is makruh (disliked), and not prohibited. The vast majority (of scholars) do not permit it whether for fear of fornication or otherwise. It is narrated that from a group of the Companions and Followers that they permitted it due to necessity, like fear of zina (fornication), if one is not protected from it except by masturbation. [Imam] Ahmad also said that it is permissible for fear of disease. In other than necessity, I do not know anyone who permitted it.”
24. Ibn Falita:
Rushd al-labib ila mu 'asharah al-habib (An Intelligent Man's Guide to Dalliance With The Beloved) by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali, also known as Ibn Falita, in the 14th century. Ibn Falita wrote this erotic guide with the express permission of the sultan of Yemen.
Yemeni scholar Ibn Falita said in his book on erotology that women masturbate when men are not available or not sufficiently satisfying. He even mentioned that some women would use a dildo to relive their sexual desires, "which they do not want to declare, because they feel ashamed to do so."
25. Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi
Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi (d. 2022 CE) was an eminent Egyptian scholar and graduate of al-Azhar University. Shaykh al-Qaradawi says in his book The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam,
"The majority of Muslim scholars consider masturbation haram (unlawful). Imam Malik bases his judgment on the verse:
“Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors.” (Quran 23:5-7)
Imam Malik argued that the masturbator is one of those who ‘crave something beyond that.’
On the other hand, it is reported that Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal regarded semen as an excretion of the body like other excrete, and permitted its expulsion the same way blood letting is permitted. Ibn Hazm holds the same view. However, the Hanbali jurists permit masturbation only under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery, and second, not having the means to marry.
We are inclined to accept the opinion of Imam Ahmad in a situation in which there is sexual excitation and danger of committing the haram [adultery]. For example, a young man has gone abroad to study or work, thereby encountering many temptations which he fears he will be unable to resist, may resort to this method of relieving sexual tension provided he does not do it excessively or make it a habit. Yet, better than this is the Prophet’s advice to the Muslim youth who is unable to marry, namely, that he seeks help through frequent fasting, for fasting nurtures will-power, teaches control of desires, and strengthens the fear of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said,
“O youth, whoever of you is able to marry, let him marry, for it spares one looking at what one should not, or lapsing in adultery. And if he cannot marry, let him observe fasting, for it is a shield against evil.” (Reported by Muslim.)
Thus, we do advise our young man who have gone abroad to study or work to have their wives with them and not to stay alone. If not, i.e., if there is no way to have their wives with them and there is a dire necessity to be away from them, then they should make use of the following:
If one find the previous things useful, then it is forbidden for him to masturbate. However, if one find that he cannot relieve yourself except through masturbation, and he fear he may lapse in adultery if he do not masturbate, then the juristic rule which states that the lesser evil is to be suffered in order to fend off the major one applies to him, as masturbation is deemed to be the lesser of two evils in this case. But, we would like to stress that this may be done only in the case of dire necessity, when all solutions prove to be of no avail."
Source: Sunni Jurists and Masturbation and Abu Aaliyah and Ibn Amin
وأما من يفعلها مضطراً إلى فعلها اضطراراً شديداً جداً، فإننا لا نقول إنها تباح له، ولكن نقول: إن المرء إذا استحكمت الشهوة منه وبلغت مبلغها بحيث لا يستطيع دفعها إلا بالعادة السرية أو الوقوع في الفاحشة فلا شك أن ارتكاب أخف المفسدتين أهون من ارتكاب الخطيئة الكبرى،
As for someone who masturbates out of severe pressure, then we do not say it is permissible, rather we say a person realises that the desires have increased to the extent that he cannot get rid of this pressure except through masturbation or by falling into a sin, then there is no doubt that committing the less severe act is easier than falling into a grave sin.
12. Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen – as cited in Fatwa #130996:
والحاجة نوعان: أولاً: حاجة دينية. ثانياً: حاجة بدنية. أما الحاجة الدينية فهو أن يخشى الإنسان على نفسه من الزنا، بأن يكون في بلد يتمكن من الزنا بسهولة، فإذا اشتدت به الشهوة، فإما أن يطفئها بهذا الفعل، وإما أن يذهب إلى أي مكان من دور البغايا ويزني، فنقول له: هذه حاجة شرعية؛ لأن القاعدة المقررة في الشرع أنه يجب أن ندفع أعلى المفسدتين بأدناهما، وهذا هو العقل؛ فإذا كان هذا الإنسان لابد أن يأتي شهوته، فإما هذا وإما هذا، فإنا نقول حينئذٍ: يباح له هذا الفعل للضرورة. أما الحاجة البدنية، فأن يخشى الإنسان على بدنه من الضرر إذا لم يُخرج هذا الفائض الذي عنده؛ لأن بعض الناس قد يكون قوي الشهوة، فإذا لم يخرج هذا الفائض الذي عنده فإنه يحصل به تعقد في نفسه، ويكره أن يعاشر الناس وأن يجلس معهم. فإذا كان يخشى على نفسه من الضرر فإنه يجوز له أن يفعل هذا الفعل؛ لأنها حاجة بدنية.
Need is of two types: religious need and bodily need. Religious need is if a person fears falling into Zina, such as if they are living in a country where they can fornicate easily. If their desires increase, they can either get rid of their desire through masturbation or by going to any place to a prostitute and fornicate. We say for this: This is a religious need, because the established principle in the Shari’ah is to repel the greater harm with the lower harm – this is what the intellect says. So if this person has no choice but to do either of the two acts to do away with his desires, then we say: It is allowed for him to do it due to necessity.
As for bodily needs, then that is if a person fears harm on their body if a build up of sperm is not ejaculated, because some people have a very strong desire. If this build up is not ejaculated then they develop stress, and do not even like dealing with people or sitting with them. If a person fears this type of harm tot he body, then he is allowed to masturbate because it is a bodily need.
13. Ibn Najjar (d. 972):
Ibn Najjar mentioned in ‘Muntaha’ that the Hanbali school of fiqh view masturbation to be haram (prohibited) when there is no need for it. This applies to both a man and a woman, but if they do it due to fear of fornication then it’s allowed.
(منتهى الإرادات /143-144 Vol 5)
14. Amr Ibn Dinar (d. 744):
Amr ibn Dinar said: “There is no harm in masturbation.”
(Musanaf Abdur Razzaq/ #13594)
15. Ibn Abbas (d. 687):
Ibn Abbas said regarding masturbation: “It’s better than committing zina”
A young man came to Ibn Abbas, and all the older men stood up, whilst the young man was seated. So some of the people said: “Get up young man”. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “Allow him, for something has caused him to sit”. When the place was deserted, he said: “O Ibn ‘Abbaas. I am a young man who feels very lustful, (so much so that) I caress my penis until I come?” Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “It is better than zina, but having sex with a slave-girl is better than it”.
Ibn ‘Abbas is reported to have said: “It is nothing but the caressing of one of you of ;his penis, until his fluid is released”
16. Al-Hasan Al-Basri (d. 728):
Al-Hasan saw no harm with masturbation. He said that the Companions used to do this when they were on long expeditions away from their wives.
17. Ibn Umar (d. 693):
Ibn ‘Umar said about masturbation: “Indeed, it is a nerve that you fondle”.
18. Mujahid (d. 722):
Mujahid, an eminent scholar and student of Ibn Abbas, said about masturbation: “Those before us would advise young men and women to do this to safe themselves from zina (adultery/fornication).”
He was also reported to have said, "Those from our predecessors used to command their young to masturbate, and the woman as well to enter something (in her).” It was asked: “What’s ‘to enter something’ mean?” Mujahid said: “He means a sihq” Mujaahid says: “To keep her from zina”.
A sihq is a wooden masher in a phallic shape. Like a dildo.
19. Jabir Ibn Zayd:
Jabir ibn Zayd, a student of Ibn Abbas, said about masturbation: “It is your fluid, you may do with it as you please.”
20. Qatadah:
Qatadah said about the Companions and masturbation: “They used to do it (masturbate) when they went out for battles; a man would caress his penis until he ejaculated”. Qatadah said: “al-Hasan [al-Basri] said about the man who masturbates until he comes, he said: ‘They used to do that in the battles’”.
21. Ibn Hazm:
Ibn Hazm (d. 1064) says in al-Muhalla concerning masturbation: “We dislike it, for it is not from the virtuous characteristics, nor from the good qualities”. Their refusal to accept the use of the verses in surah al-mumineen (24:4-6), (as evidence) is questionable. For the scholars agree upon the prohibition of bestiality, and the evidence used is this Qur'anic verse (as for the hadiths on the topic, then they are all weak). And like they prohibit bestiality by that verse, and arguing that it is not permissible to enjoy one's private parts except with the wife or slave girl, then it is binding upon them to prohibit masturbation as well, and there is no difference. As for masturbating with your wife’s hand, then the scholars have permitted it.
22. Al-Mardawi:
The distinguished Hanbali jurist al-Mardawi (d. 1058) – in his famous work Al-Insaf – after summarizing the Hanbali position on the issue of masturbation states: “I would like to add two points in this context: Masturbation or induced ejaculation is not allowed except in the case of dire necessity… secondly, the woman is like a man in this matter; so, she is to use a device like a penis when she fears falling into zina. Then he adds: This is the authentic ruling (of the school), and the author has reckoned it in al-Furu’ as the preferred ruling on this issue.”
23. Ibn Taymiyyah:
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328) was asked about masturbation: “Is it prohibited or not?” He answered in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa [35/229]: “As for masturbation with the hand, then it is prohibited according to the majority of scholars, and this is the more correct saying in the school of [Imam] Ahmad [ibn Hanbal]. Its doer is admonished. The other saying is that it is makruh (disliked), and not prohibited. The vast majority (of scholars) do not permit it whether for fear of fornication or otherwise. It is narrated that from a group of the Companions and Followers that they permitted it due to necessity, like fear of zina (fornication), if one is not protected from it except by masturbation. [Imam] Ahmad also said that it is permissible for fear of disease. In other than necessity, I do not know anyone who permitted it.”
24. Ibn Falita:
Rushd al-labib ila mu 'asharah al-habib (An Intelligent Man's Guide to Dalliance With The Beloved) by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali, also known as Ibn Falita, in the 14th century. Ibn Falita wrote this erotic guide with the express permission of the sultan of Yemen.
Yemeni scholar Ibn Falita said in his book on erotology that women masturbate when men are not available or not sufficiently satisfying. He even mentioned that some women would use a dildo to relive their sexual desires, "which they do not want to declare, because they feel ashamed to do so."
25. Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi
Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi (d. 2022 CE) was an eminent Egyptian scholar and graduate of al-Azhar University. Shaykh al-Qaradawi says in his book The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam,
"The majority of Muslim scholars consider masturbation haram (unlawful). Imam Malik bases his judgment on the verse:
“Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors.” (Quran 23:5-7)
Imam Malik argued that the masturbator is one of those who ‘crave something beyond that.’
On the other hand, it is reported that Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal regarded semen as an excretion of the body like other excrete, and permitted its expulsion the same way blood letting is permitted. Ibn Hazm holds the same view. However, the Hanbali jurists permit masturbation only under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery, and second, not having the means to marry.
We are inclined to accept the opinion of Imam Ahmad in a situation in which there is sexual excitation and danger of committing the haram [adultery]. For example, a young man has gone abroad to study or work, thereby encountering many temptations which he fears he will be unable to resist, may resort to this method of relieving sexual tension provided he does not do it excessively or make it a habit. Yet, better than this is the Prophet’s advice to the Muslim youth who is unable to marry, namely, that he seeks help through frequent fasting, for fasting nurtures will-power, teaches control of desires, and strengthens the fear of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said,
“O youth, whoever of you is able to marry, let him marry, for it spares one looking at what one should not, or lapsing in adultery. And if he cannot marry, let him observe fasting, for it is a shield against evil.” (Reported by Muslim.)
Thus, we do advise our young man who have gone abroad to study or work to have their wives with them and not to stay alone. If not, i.e., if there is no way to have their wives with them and there is a dire necessity to be away from them, then they should make use of the following:
- Observing fasting, because it bolsters one’s faith, preserves chastity, and protects one from evil thoughts.
- Observing moderation in eating and drinking in order to avoid stimulating your desire.
- Keeping away from anything that is sexually stimulating, such as pornographic pictures, erotic films and love songs.
- Choosing good and righteous friends.
- Keeping yourself busy in worship and spiritual acts.
- Interacting with activities of the society in such a way that it keeps you away from thinking about sex.
- Avoiding gatherings and places that bring men and women physically close to each other.
- Trying to admire natural things such as flowers and beautiful scenery, which do not stimulate one sexually, instead of admiring girls and women.
If one find the previous things useful, then it is forbidden for him to masturbate. However, if one find that he cannot relieve yourself except through masturbation, and he fear he may lapse in adultery if he do not masturbate, then the juristic rule which states that the lesser evil is to be suffered in order to fend off the major one applies to him, as masturbation is deemed to be the lesser of two evils in this case. But, we would like to stress that this may be done only in the case of dire necessity, when all solutions prove to be of no avail."
Source: Sunni Jurists and Masturbation and Abu Aaliyah and Ibn Amin