Masturbating during the day in Ramadhaan whilst ignorant of the ruling

Reference: Fataawa Ramadhaan – Volume 2, Page 444, Fatwa No.370
al-fataawa libni ‘Uthaymeen – Kitaab ad-Da’wah – Volume 1, Pages 172-173

Question: A youth was overcome by his desire and masturbated in Ramadhaan, ignorant of the ruling that it breaks the fast. So what is the ruling?

Response: The ruling is that here is nothing required of him, since we have previously mentioned the three pre-requisites for the fasting person to break his fast [and they are]: knowledge, remembering and intention.

However, I [would just like to] say that it is obligatory upon the person to be patient and refrain from masturbating since it is prohibited because of the saying of Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala):

{And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts) except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, – for then, they are free from blame}, soorah Mu.minoon, aayahs 5-6

…and due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:

«O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot (afford to get married) should fast, for it is a means to suppressing the sexual desire», [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

So, if masturbating was permissible, the Prophet ﷺ would have directed [the youth] to it, because it is easier upon the person in addition to the pleasure a person finds therein, contrary to the hardship experienced in fasting.

Therefore, when the Prophet ﷺ directed [the youth] to fasting, this showed that it (masturbating) was not permissible.

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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