Masturbation

[Minhaj]

http://www.free-islam.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1024

This is my final reply in a debate against "Free-minders" regarding the status of masturbation according to the Qur'an. It is an exercise in utilising principles, but feel free to disagree or criticise.


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�????�???�??�?�¢??This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

2:2


We should guard everything about ourselves (including our thoughts since they lead to temptation). Whoever guards their thoughts will automatically avoid it until (if) absolutely necessary. We should not look for excuses (loopholes). 24:30 confirms that it is obligatory to guard our thoughts (especially about others):

�????�???�??�?�¢??Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

24:30

If we have to cast down our looks, then thinking these thoughts defeats the purpose (i.e. we must avoid temptation in all ways, and not simply act upon it). It is not simply to be taken literally (e.g. see 9:71). Furthermore, what is the point of women covering themselves (24:31) if everyone is permitted to think dirty thoughts (and tempt themselves) besides? Is reading erotic fiction advisable (the key word is �????�???�??�?�¢??advisable�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��) even though not specifically mentioned? This was not addressed during the debate.


�????'¢?�????�???�??�?�¦and do not draw nigh to indecencies, those of them which are apparent and those which are concealed.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

6:151


We should not even think about these things because impure thoughts (though concealed) lead to impure impulses. If then we fall to temptation, we should ask forgiveness (2:286). Just because our thoughts and associated actions are concealed, it does not mean we are not accountable for intentions:

�????'¢?�????�???�??�?�¦and whether you manifest what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will call you to account according to it.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

2:284

Indecent thoughts are indecencies, and we should be remembering Allah (SWT) instead (3:191). If one absolutely feels that they need to release, they should ask for forgiveness before and after (2:286).


�????�???�??�?�¢??Say: My Lord has only prohibited indecencies, those of them that are apparent as well as those that are concealed�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?�¦�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

7:33


See the notes for 6:151.


�????�???�??�?�¢??And go not nigh to fornication; surely it is an indecency and an evil way.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

17:32


Thinking about fornication in conjunction with the act is inclining towards it. Enjoying the act is welcoming the lure of the same (fulfilment of) temptations which fornication offers.


�????�???�??�?�¢??And who guard their private parts�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?�¦�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

23:5


Performing it is not keeping chaste or abstaining from sexual acts. However, 23:5 is permitted with regards to spouses and ma malakat aymanukum. Note performing the act whilst thinking about one�????�???�??�?�¢??s spouse is not excepted (see 23:7) If the act were permissible, it might have been included here. After all, committing indecent acts with wives and ma malakat aymanukum is allowed, but not committing indecent acts with oneself!


�????�???�??�?�¢??O you who believe! do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan, and whoever follows the footsteps of the Shaitan, then surely he bids the doing of indecency and evil; and were it not for Allah's grace upon you and His mercy, not one of you would have ever been pure, but Allah purifies whom He pleases; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

24:21


The devil desires you to think lewd thoughts and to enjoy them:

�????�???�??�?�¢??Shaitan threatens you with poverty and enjoins on you immorality, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and abundance; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

2:268

Thus even if we feel absolutely compelled (i.e. �????�???�??�?�¢??justified�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��), we should ask forgiveness from Allah (SWT). The fact that we should seek forgiveness obviously means the act is inadvisable (un-Islamic).


�????�???�??�?�¢??Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

24:30


Impure thoughts naturally invite to impure impulses. In this context, thinking of anyone but one�????�???�??�?�¢??s spouse (as far as my understanding goes) is not guarding one�????�???�??�?�¢??s inner modesty as a servant of Allah (SWT). It should be noted that 23:5 does not give an exception for performing the act whilst thinking about one�????�???�??�?�¢??s spouse (hence it is completely haram in traditional schools). It should also be considered that ideally sexual pleasure is mutual pleasure (2:187), and so in Allah�????�???�??�?�¢??s (SWT) mandate it may be more respectful for sex (certainly) and sexual fantasies to remain mutual (hence �????�???�??�?�¢??casting down our looks�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��). Finally, there is the fact that committing indecent acts with oneself (assessable by the nature of it being so if another did it to us) is not made permissible like it is with spouses and ma malakat aymanukum.


�????�???�??�?�¢??And let those who do not find the means to marry keep chaste until Allah makes them free from want out of His grace.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

24:33


There is no link here between marriage and nikah, and because chastity is demanded except before spouses and ma malakat aymanukum, anything outside of this is prohibited or inadvisable. The act is not simply an act; it is a thought, a compulsion with the thought, an intention and an action that could have been prevented by distracting oneself (e.g. guarding and remembering Allah (SWT)). Now even if we feign a �????�???�??�?�¢??pure mind�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��, it is not like a muscle that needs to be massaged and secondly it is an indecent act simply performed on ourselves by ourselves. This suggests that sexual acts should be mutual with the specified people.


�????�???�??�?�¢??Surely Allah will make those who believe and do good enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; and those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as the beasts eat, and the fire is their abode.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

47:12


Giving in to temptation is the way of disbelief, therefore one should guard one�????�???�??�?�¢??s thoughts (2:2, 24:30). Stress is not an excuse (1:5). One can of course enjoy family time between praying, working and being upright. In all cases, the right choice will be obvious to true believers (2:256-267).


�????�???�??�?�¢??So whatever thing you are given, that is only a provision of this world's life, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and rely on their Lord. And those who shun the great sins, and the indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

42:36-37


These ayat say that remembering Allah (SWT) is more beneficial than giving in to temptation. It is advisable to avoid the act because this is in accordance of the ideals of true Muslims. Allowing oneself to think about indecencies is not shunning them. We are only human, but that is partly why we must remember Him standing, sitting and lying (3:191). It gives us the greatest chance to develop ourselves, and �????�???�??�?�¢??harmless pleasure�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?�� is not an excuse because the devil makes foul deeds (and the thoughts that go with them) seem fair (e.g. 2:212, 3:14, 8:48 and 10:12). Describing the act as equal to any game or sport (as a diversion) is addressed by the fact that it draws closer to indecency than they (and it is an indecent act), and so just like we would not eat unusual animals that are not normally hunted before �????�???�??�?�¢??usual�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?�� meats (i.e. we would not eat dog before chicken if we could avoid it - see 5:3-4 for the emphasis on eating what we normally hunt), we will not perform this act when there is a range of alternatives (e.g. 2:148). Masturbation is an indecency by oneself on oneself (obviously by the fact it would be if a stranger did it on one) regardless of one's state of mind.


�????�???�??�?�¢??Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion.�????�???�??�?�¢?�????�???�??�?��

90:17


Muslims should tell each other to be patient (e.g. against temptation). See also Sura 103.


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In short, though there is no earthly punishment (in a private instance), it is not advisable and thus you should not do it if you can help it (e.g. by praying to remember Allah (SWT) and finding other diversions). There are perhaps grounds to consider it haram, but that is neither here nor there.

Khuda Hafiz

[AhmedBahgat]

Salam dear brother

I totally agree with you, thanks for your insight

Cheers

[AhmedBahgat]

Salam dear brother

I totally agree with you, thanks for your insight

Cheers

[Minhaj]

Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatulah brother;

Many thanks, my pleasure