Fatwa ID: 02610

Answered by: Molana Eunus Ali

Question

Assalaam Alaikum,

1. Is masturbation allowed in Islam?

2. I have read that masturbation causes memory and eyes to become weak etc. Is this true?

JazakAllah

Answer

Allah has stated describing the qualities of the successful Believers:

And they who guard their private parts. Except for their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed. But whoever seeks beyond that, those are the transgressors. (Surah Mu’minoon:5-7)

Commenting on the above verses, both Imam Qurtubi and Mufti Shafi’ (may Allah’s mercy be upon them) have stated that the opinion of the scholars (with the exception of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal) is that ‘masturbation’ is Haram, as it falls into the category of the third verse mentioned above. (Tafseerul Qurtubi, volume 6, page 416, Darul Hadith & Ma’ariful Quran, volume 6, page 298, Idaaratul Ma’arif)

Putting physical harms to aside, there are spiritual harms attached to it and thus should be abandoned at all cost so that one can be included amongst the successful believers.

The prophetic solution for this is, as advised by the Prophet (peace be upon him) is to observe fast in order to suppress sexual urges when marriage is not an option. (Mirqaatul Mafaateeh, volume 6, page 238, Maktabah Rashidiyyah)     

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Eunus Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham