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

Answer

Allah states in the Quran: “And those 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 Al Muminun: 5-7)

After praising the believers for guarding their private parts from that which He has made forbidden for them Allah has warned that the transgressors are those who go beyond what is lawful. Imam Qurtubi on commenting on the above verse states that according to the scholars (with the exception of Imam Ahmed ibn Hambal) masturbation is haram. (Tafseer Qurtubi, Vol 12, P98)

Abdullah 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.” (Bukhari, 7.4)

If masturbation was permissible, Prophet (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) would have mentioned it at this point. This indicates that masturbation is unlawful because silence at a time of explanation denotes restriction.

Only Allah knows best.

Sayeedur Rahman

Darul Ifta, Birmingham