Islam and masturbation

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‘Istimna (استمناء) is the Arabic term for masturbation.

Conception

See also: Islamic sexual jurisprudence and Religious views on masturbation § Islam

There are varying opinions on its permissibility. It is forbidden in the Twelver school of Shia Islam and all of its associated subdivisions. It is considered haram according to the Maliki madhhab. The Hanafi madhhab has a more permissive outlook. According to Ibn Hazm and the Hanbali madhhab, it is halal (permissible) only under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery, and second, not having the means to marry. Various scholarly thoughts concluding it being halal include the following:

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, a 14th century Sunni Islamic scholar:

“ Ibn Aqil said: and many of our scholars have ruled that masturbation is makruh (disliked), and never explicitly said he that it was haram. ”

Next, he cites the opinion of Ibn Aqil on the conditions that make masturbation halaal:

“ If a man is torn between continued desire or releasing it, and if this man does not have a wife, and he fears that he will suffer because of this (someone like a prisoner, or a traveler, or a pauper), then it is permissible for him to masturbate, and Ahmad (ibn Hanbal) is explicit on this. ”

And afterwards, Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“ And the right (correct) for me is that it is illegal, because the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) guided one who had a desire, and could not marry, to the fast ... ”

Those of the view that it is haraam:

• Malik ibn Anas
• Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi`i
• Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man
• Ibn Kathir
• Al-Qurtubi
• Shi'a

Some have quoted one (1) narration from Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

Qur'an

The Quran itself is silent on the subject of masturbation. However, scholars have quoted certain ayats that they claim states that masturbation is forbidden.

Ibn Kathir, a 14th century Sunni Islamic scholar that al-Shafi‘i and those who have agreed with him have concluded that masturbation is haram from the above verse. He says, "Masturbation is excluded from these two types which Allah has made Halaal, viz. wives and slave-girls".

Under the exegis of this verse, Qadi Thanaullah Panipati writes, "Imam Baghawi has deduced from this Aayat that masturbation is haram."

Hadith

Some hadith that are quoted to in support of masturbation being haram include:

A narration attributed to Abdullah ibn Masud reports:

“ We were with the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) while we were young and had no wealth whatsoever. So Allah’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. ”

However, Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم) recommended fasting and did not mention masturbation.

Ibn Kathir wrote in volume 5 p. 458: Masturbation (for both men and women) is haraam (forbidden) in Islam based on the following evidence:

It is worth pointing out that Ibn Kathir's works are an interpretative commentary and not a part of the Quran itself.

This is a Daeef(Weak) Hadith

Other quoted material include from Tafsir al-Mazhari vol. 12 p. 94:

A narration attributed to Anas ibn Malik reports:

“ Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, 'The person who performs Nikah with his hands (i.e. masturbates) is cursed. ”

Quoted from the Tabi‘un

A narration attributed to Sa'id ibn Jubayr reports:

“ Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, 'Allah Taãla will inflict a punishment on a group of people because they played with their private parts.' ”