I am 21 years old and have a bad habit of severe masturbating. Please tell me that is it a sin? Or in Islam it is prohibited? Or there is no such thing in islam? How can I op from doing it? Now I can not marry.

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Answer

Allah states in the Quran, “…who guard their private parts except with their spouses or those who are legally in their possession, for in that case they shall not be blamed. However those who seek to go beyond that in lust are the ones who shall be the transgressors” (Surah Muminun: V5-7)

Most jurists have included masturbation in the prohibition and have included this in the category of those who go beyond what is permissible in satisfying ones lust. (Tafseer Qurtubi, Vol 12, P98). It is recorded in Tafseer Mazhari that Saeed ibn Jubair stated that, “Allah punished a nation who used to play with their private parts.” In Durrul Mukhtar the hadith “A person who is married to the hand is cursed (i.e. the person who masturbates)” is recorded which indicates the impermissibility of masturbation. (Vol2, P109).

From the above it is clear that masturbation is not allowed in Islam and is a sin. It is mentioned in the Hadith that a person who cannot marry should fast as this will reduce his desires. Abdullah (radi allahu anhu) narrates; we were with the Prophet while we were young and had no wealth whatever. So Allah’s Apostle 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.” (Sahih Bukhari: 7.4)

And Allah knows best.

Sayeedur Rahman

Darul Ifta, Birmingham