Is istimna'i (masturbation) ok in Islam?

Dear Hadi,

Dear Reader,

We thank you for asking this question, which may be difficult for others to ask.

Once again, we do not give fatwas in this column, but will give you some thoughts and some general information on the topic.

The juristic opinions on masturbation (istimnāʾ) in Islam vary among scholars and schools of law, but the majority regard it as prohibited (ḥarām) or at least discouraged (makrūh) except in certain limited circumstances.

A very nice summary of the views is found in the book Al Halal wal haram fil Islam (The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam) by the famous 20^th century scholar Sheik Yusuf Al Qaradawi.  We lean toward his views.

Basically, the majority of schools of thought prohibit masturbation, based on the verses Sūrat al-Mu’minūn (23:5–7) and Sūrat al-Ma‘ārij (70:29–31):

“And those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those they rightfully possess — for indeed, they are not blameworthy; but whoever seeks beyond that, then they are transgressors.”
(Qur’an 23:5–7; 70:29–31)

Most classical jurists interpreted “beyond that” to include masturbation, viewing it as an act outside the lawful outlets of sexual gratification.

However, within this general prohibition, some of the classical scholars divide the situation into two categories: those who masturbate for pleasure, and those who masturbate out of necessity, because they fear falling prey to the sin of fornication if they do not relieve their sexual tension. 

For the latter category (necessity), some of these scholars allow masturbation since necessity obviates prohibition.  For example, the scholar Ibn ʿĀbidīn (in his book Radd al-Muḥtār) says that it is prohibited, except if one fears falling into fornication and has no means to marriage, then “the hope is that there is no blame on him.”

While there is no explicit hadith from the Prophet directly addressing masturbation, scholars rely on general hadiths about chastity and controlling desires, such as:

“O young men, whoever among you can afford marriage, let him marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity; and whoever cannot, let him fast, for fasting will be a shield for him.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

The hadith is understood to prescribe fasting—not masturbation—as the remedy for unfulfilled sexual desire, supporting the view that masturbation is not an approved outlet.

However, Al Qaradawi notes that there is a minority of eminent scholars who saw no prohibition in masturbation, stating:

“On the other hand, it is reported that Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal regarded semen as an excretion of the body like other excreta and permitted its expulsion as bloodletting is permitted.  Ibn Hazm holds the same view.”

Al Qaradawi then gives his own opinion, with which we agree:

“We are inclined to accept the opinion of Imam Ahmad in a situation in which there is sexual excitation and danger of committing haram.  For example, a young man [who] has gone abroad to study or work, thereby encountering many temptations which he fears he will be unable to resist, may resort to this method of relieving sexual tension provided that he does not do it excessively or make it into a habit.”

This is basically the view of some Hanbali jurists who “permit masturbation under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery and second, not having the means to marry.”

Al Qaradawi then ends by quoting the hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) above, saying that while he allows masturbation under necessity, marriage and fasting are preferable. 

Thus while we will not say “this is halal,” or “this is haram,” we advise you first to seek the means of marriage, then the discipline of fasting.  If these are not possible, we advise not to get into the habit of masturbation for enjoyment, but have no significant issue if you do it under the compulsion of necessity to avoid falling into sin at times when you feel overwhelmed by sexual desire.  And God knows best.