Is masturbation permitted?

21-8-1999 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum, Dear brother, I'm a religious Muslim who moved to Canada recently. I'm single, 25, I find it hard to resist my instinct, and cannot get married soon! What if I manage to release my tensions without commiting Zina, I mean what's so called Mubashara? Otherwise I won't be able to concentrate in my study and work, and probably my health would degrade. Please let me know as I'm suffering. Women here show most of their bodies in public places, which I'm not used to. Hope to get the fatwa soon and may Allah (SWT) bless you,

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

Indeed Almighty Allah sent His Prophet to mankind in order to show them the right path in their lives and keep them away from all evil. The Prophet laid down a clear system for the youth, who believe in Allaah and His Prophet and accept Allah as their Lord, Islam as their religion, and Mohammed as their Prophet and Messenger. The Prophet said: “O young people, whoever is able to marry should marry, and whoever is not able to do so, he should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual desires. " [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, it is either marriage or fasting in order to diminish one's sexual power. However, it is not permissible to resort to anything else other than the above two options when satisfying one’s desires, as this is nothing but lures of the devil to mislead the young people.

A Muslim should hold firmly to the path of the Prophet and not follow the whispers of the devil.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 81150 and 127503.

Allaah knows best.