The ruling regarding masturbation

Reference: I’laam al-Mu’aasireen bi-Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen – Page 184

Question: What is the ruling regarding masturbation?

Response: Onanism is masturbation with the hand – which is prohibited; It is obligatory upon all Muslims to take precaution against it, because doing it is contrary to the statement of Allaah ﷻ:

{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; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors}, soorah al-Mu.minoon, aayahs 5-7

In addition to that which exists in masturbation of much [health-related] harm.

And Allaah is the Expounder of All Success.


Translation originally published on 5 February, 2011.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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