Fatwa ID: 05962

Answered by: Maulana Yūsuf Badāt

Question:

I am 18 years old and have had ejaculations in dreams for over 4 years. For about 1 year now, I have had dreams in which I get up and am about to ejaculate, then sometimes I cannot resist and do something that the penis is aroused. Is that ḥarām (Islamically unlawful) what I did? Could you tell me what to do when something like this happens? Something to do that does not involve masturbation, please.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

As one hits puberty and adulthood, having a wet dream (iḥtilām) is natural and a part of life. There is nothing sinful or unwarranted in a natural process. What is detestable is that a person deliberately prompts ejaculation in Islamically unlawful ways. When you experience a wet dream you must perform a ghusl (ritual bath) and get into a state of purity. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 1, Page 164, Dār Al-Fikr)

To avoid excessive wet dreams, here-below are some recommendations:

• Be punctual with your religious practices such as prayers, recitation, and remembrance (dhikr).
• Consult your doctor and seek medical advice.
• Live a healthy lifestyle. Avoid unnecessary stress.
• Observe fasting consistently, at least two days a week.
• Guard your gazes and thoughts against impermissible sexuality, promiscuity, pornography, and immorality.
• Get married if you are mature enough, responsible and independent.
• Make dua (supplications) to the Almighty to assist you in your difficulties.

“Success is really attained by the believers …. who guard their private parts except for their wives or from those (bondwomen who are) owned by their hands, as they are not to be blamed. However, those who seek (sexual pleasure) beyond that are the transgressors.” – (Qur’ān 23:1-7)

“O young men, those among you who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains eyes (from casting evil glances) and preserves one from immorality; but he who cannot take on the responsibility should observe fast for it is a means of controlling the sexual desire.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 3233)

Sulaymān ibn Yasār reported that ‘Omar ibn Khaṭṭāb went out early in the morning to his land in Juruf and found semen on his garment. He said, “I have been tried with [excessive] wet dreams since I have been entrusted with governing the people.” He did ghusl and washed his garment of what he saw of the semen, and then prayed.” – (Muwaṭṭā Mālik 113)

Only Allāh knows best.

Written by Maulana Yūsuf Badāt

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham