Fatwa ID: 05377

 

Answered by: Maulana Tammim Mohamadou

 

Question

 

I am a single guy looking to get married soon Insha’Allah, but not found a suitable match so far. I am doing my best to keep away from sin and from time to time I masturbate, I know it’s a sin in itself but it helps me keep away from Zina with I believe is a bigger sin.

 

Do you have any advice?

 

 

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

 

Answer:

 

Allah ﷻ has said in the Holy Qur’an:

﴾And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah [i.e., anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him)﴿.[Surah Al-‘Isrā’, 32]

 

It was narrated by Alqama (رضي الله عنه): While I was walking with ʿAbdullah he said, “We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said, ‘He who can afford to marry should marry because it will help him refrain from looking at other women and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford it, he should fast, as it will be a restraint (Wija) for him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1905)

 

Consequently, masturbation is not allowed and the best way to control one’s sexual urge is through marriage if not then one should lower the gaze, protect his private parts, and fast. [1]

 

Therefore, you should do your utmost effort to get married in shā Allah.

 

In addition, one should remember that fasting alone may not be sufficient for some individuals because the sexual urge is something that has been created in man and it cannot be removed. Allahﷻinfused it in us all so that we would procreate and have children. Without it, we would become extinct and so Allah made it the object of human desire. In fact, it is a gift from Allah ﷻto human beings.

 

Nevertheless, like everything in this Dunya, in excess, it will become harmful and could lead the man to destruction.

 

Allah ﷻ has said:

﴾O children of ‘Adam, take along what looks good on you to every mosque. And eat and drink but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.﴿ [Surah Al-Aʿraf, 31]

 

In the current society, sexuality is everywhere in the name of freedom, and we live in a world where the urge of a man or woman is constantly being tested and stimulated. We are inundated by lustful images and videos all the time from television to social networks. All of this has a bad consequence on us and increases our sexual energy thus the urge. If we listen to this urge and let it on – as mentioned by some foolish people – it will bring ephemeral good feeling and relief, but more urge will come. Then, it will become a never-ending cycle with dangerous and dreadful consequences in both worlds.

 

Therefore, the prophetic remedy for that is to lower the gaze, protect the private parts and fast but in addition to that, one should:

 

• Lower the gaze and protect the hears,
• Avoid exposing oneself to lustful pictures or videos,
• Eat less on days where he is not fasting,
• Occupy oneself in pious activity,
• Frequent pious people and gathering,
• Use meditation to free the mind and focus on important matters,
• Practice physical exercises,
• Avoid being alone or idle,
• Increase in the remembrance of Allah and especially death.
• Increase in the recitation of the Quran.
• Visit the graveyard as this will be a wake-up call as to where we are heading.
• Seek relatives or friends or professional help where possible

 

All these suggestions will help in controlling the urge by weakening the body or turning one’s focus to the true matter of life.

 

Last but not least, one should make a lot of duʿā to Allah ﷻ for steadfastness and there is a great reward for those who remain patient for the sake of Allah ﷻ.

 

Allah ﷻ said:

﴾And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.﴿ [Surah Al-Insan, 12]

 

May Allah ﷻ protect us from masturbation and Zina, from its negative impact on our faith and our private parts from sin! Āmīn.

Only Allah (ﷻ) knows best.

 

 

 

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Maulana Tammim Mohamadou

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

 

References

[1]	Darul Ifta Birmingham, “Fatwa ID: 02253,” [Online]. Available: http://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/marriage-masturbation-and-premauture-ejaculation/.