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Summary of answer
Masturbation (for both men and women) is haram (forbidden) in Islam based on evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah. See the detailed answer for 13 tips on how to give up masturbation.

Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.

Is masturbation haram in Islam?
Masturbation (for both men and women) is haraam (forbidden) in Islam based on the following evidence:

Prohibition of masturbation in the Quran
Al-Imam Shafi'i stated that masturbation is forbidden based on the following verses from the Quran (interpretation of the meaning):

{And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, - for them, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.} (Al-Muminun 23:5-7)

Here the verses are clear in forbidding all illegal sexual acts (including masturbation) except for the wives or what their right hand possesses. {And whoever seeks beyond that is the transgressor.}

Some scholars used as evidence the ayah (in meaning),

{And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah enriches them of His bounty.} (Al-Nur 24:33)

This verse also clearly orders whoever does not have the financial means to marry to keep himself chaste and be patient in facing temptations (including masturbation) until Allah enriches them of His bounty.

Prohibition of masturbation in the Sunnah
'Abdullaah ibn Mas’ud said, "We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) while we were young and had no wealth whatsoever. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.'" (Al-Bukhari 5066)

The hadeeth orders men who are not able to marry to fast despite the hardship encountered in doing so, and not to masturbate despite the ease with which it can be done.

There is additional evidence that can be cited to support this ruling on masturbation, but due to the limited space we will not go through them here.

Tips on how to give up masturbation
As for curing/treating the habit of masturbation, we recommend the following suggestions:

1. The motive to seek a cure for this problem should be solely following Allah's orders and fearing His punishment.

2. A permanent and quick cure from this problem lies in marriage as soon as the person is able, as shown in the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) hadeeth.

3. Keeping oneself busy with what is good for this world and the Hereafter is essential in breaking this habit before it becomes second nature after which it is very difficult to rid oneself of it.

4. Lowering the gaze (from looking at forbidden things such as pictures, movies etc.) will help suppress the desire before it leads one to commit the haram (forbidden). Allah orders men and women to lower their gaze as shown in the following two verses and in the Prophet's hadith.

{Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is all-aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) ..... } (24: 30-31)

Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not follow a casual (unintentional) look (at forbidden things) with another look." (Al-Tirmidhi, 2777) This is a general instruction by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to abstain from all that may sexually excite a person because it might lead him/her to commit the haram (forbidden).

5. Using one's available leisure time in worshipping Allah and increasing religious knowledge.

6. Being cautious not to develop any of the medical symptoms that may result from masturbation such as weak eyesight, weak nervous system, and/or back pain. More importantly, feelings of guilt and anxiety that can be complicated by missing obligatory prayers because of the need to shower (ghusl) after every incidence of masturbation, especially in the winter, and the invalidating of the fast.

7. Avoiding the illusion that some youth have that masturbation is permissible because it prevents them from committing illegal sexual acts such as fornication or even homosexuality, while they may not be at the gates of that immorality to begin with.

8. Strengthening one's willpower and not surrendering to the shaytan, and avoiding spending time alone as recommended by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he said "Do not spend the night alone" Ahmad, 6919.

9. Following the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) aforementioned hadeeth and fasting when possible, because fasting will temper one's sexual desire and keep it under control. However, one should not overreact and swear by Allah not to return to the act because if one does not honor one's promise, one would be facing the consequences of not living up to one's oath to Allah. Also, note that medication to diminish one's sexual desire is strictly prohibited because it might permanently affect one's sexual ability.

10. Trying to follow the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) recommendation concerning the etiquette of getting ready for bed, such as reading the well-known supplications, sleeping on the right side, and avoiding sleeping on the belly (the Prophet-peace and blessings be upon him- forbade sleeping on the belly).

11. Striving hard to be patient and chaste, because persistence will eventually, Allah willing, lead to attaining those qualities as second nature, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explains in the following hadith:

"Whoever seeks chastity Allah will make him chaste, and whoever seeks help from none but Allah, He will help him, and whoever is patient He will make it easy for him, and no one has ever been given anything better than patience." Al-Bukhari:1469.

12. If one falls into this sin, they must hasten to repent, asking forgiveness from Allah, doing good deeds, and not losing hope and feeling despair; these are all prerequisites to curing this problem. Note that losing hope is one of the major sins punishable by Allah.

13. Finally, Allah is the Most Merciful and He always responds to whoever calls on Him. So, asking for Allah's forgiveness and help will be accepted, by His will.

And Allah knows best

Source: Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid https://islamqa.info/en/answers/329/is-masturbation-haram-in-islam

It is absolutely Haram to engage in such acts, even without Islamic ruling from human stand point is bad

Can we be having teachings on things that add values like gratitude, faith, endurance etc?

I think I know the answer to this question, but some people will not like it 😏

GoodConduct:
Yes it is haram. Not good at all. If you must have sex, get a woman.

Is self service not better that climbing goats or sheep?

Ah, "Masturbation" ..one of Nairaland's most favourite topics, if not the most favourite topic

This is totally condermed irrespective of your religion, Go get married instead

Great post masturbating is a sin against humanity.our body soul .may God help all

Sexual sin is not the only sin that can lead someone to hell.
Can we teach tolerance, kindness, compassion, meekness, peace, unity, etc.

Can we also teach ourselves how to be humans not animals?

Whenever I see the word Islam, I usually feel goosebumps on my body, and I don't know why. It's not Islamophobia per se.... after all, I'm surrounded by them. But e get as e be.

NwaliE01:
Sexual sin is not the only sin that can lead somwone to hell.
Can we teach tolerance, kindness, compassion, meekness, peace, unity, etc.

Can we also teach ourselves how to be humans not animals?

Abstain from masturbations so that you can be human

Masturbation is not a sin.

If there is a God who is also a creator of the universe, the universe is too big and complex for the same God who create the complex universe to be concerned with what you do with your genitals in your private. Humans, if not that we are egocentric, we are so small and minute on the scale of the universe that a God will feel unhappy by what you do with your genital.

Imagine the billionaire Dangote wanting to beat a grandchild for misplacing a #50 he gave him. Isn't that out of proportion?

Also, masturbation has helped a lot of people to tame their sexual urges, thereby preventing rape, unwanted pregnancy, promiscuity and other vices...

As a guy, if you don't mastirbate, you'll get wet dream and release on your cloth. A man produce about 120million sperm cells in a day.

Use your brain!

Only too much of everything or an addiction to anything is bad.

How did the semen get to his cloth?

Sunan Ibn Majah 538
Hammam bin Harith narrated:"A guest came and stayed with 'Aishah, and she ordered that he be given a yellow blanket of hers. He had a nocturnal emission on it, and he felt too shy to send it back to send it back to her when it had the traces of that emission on it, so he dipped it in water and then sent it to her. 'Aishah said: 'Why did he spoil our garment? It would have been sufficient for him to scrape it off with his finger.  I often scraped it (semen) from the garment of the Messenger of Allah with my finger.'"

Okeona:
Abstain from masturbations so that you can be human

I am not doing that, because it's against my Christian tenets. We are not anywhere better than those that do it though.
We are all humans meaning that we are all work in progress.

Knowledge, education, and reflection have made me reconsider some things. I now believe that masturbation can be haram depending on the context. For example, if someone has a spouse and chooses to deny them intimacy but engages in masturbation instead, that could be considered sinful. However, if a person is unmarried and their body produces high levels of hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, or estrogen—leading to a heightened sex drive—then I believe masturbation may be permissible in that context.

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Is Masturbation Permissible?
On this important question, the eminent Muslim scholar and renowned Da`iyah,Sheikh `AbdelKhaliqHasan Ash-Shareef, states that a person is not in a necessity to commit this act, as long as there is no fear of committing zina. A Muslim should not think about this act. Instead, he should abstain from what may arouse his sexual appetite such as watching sex movies or pornographic pictures. Such acts, indeed, sap and drain the Iman (Faith) of a believer, kill his soul and destroy his character.

It is recommended for a Muslim to fill up his time with something useful such as reading or learning the Qur’an; things that will make him nearer to Almighty Allah, enrich his knowledge and strengthen his faith and piety. Allah says in the Qur’an(And let those who do not find the means to marry keep chaste until Allah makes them free from want out of His grace.)” (An-Nur 24:23).

Elaborating on this issue of masturbation in his book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi stated:

“The majority of Muslim scholars consider masturbation haram (unlawful). Imam Malik bases his judgment on the verse: “Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors.’ (Al-Mu’minoon:5-7)
Imam Malik argued that the masturbator is one of those who ‘crave something beyond that.’
On the other hand, it is reported that Imam Ahmad IbnHanbal regarded semen as an excretion of the body like other excrete, and permitted its expulsion the same way blood letting is permitted. IbnHazm holds the same view. However, the Hanbali jurists permit masturbation only under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery, and second, not having the means to marry.
We are inclined to accept the opinion of Imam Ahmad in a situation in which there is sexual excitation and danger of committing the haram [adultery]. For example, a young man 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 he does not do it excessively or make it a habit. Yet, better than this is the Prophet’s advice to the Muslim youth who is unable to marry, namely, that he seeks help through frequent fasting, for fasting nurtures will-power, teaches control of desires, and strengthens the fear of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, ‘O youth, whoever of you is able to marry, let him marry, for it spares one looking at what one should not, or lapsing in adultery. And if he cannot marry, let him observe fasting, for it is a shield against evil.’(Reported by Muslim.)

KingCold:
Ah, "Masturbation" ..one of Nairaland's most favourite topics, if not the most favourite topic

i dy tell you, i can't count how many times i have seen a topic like this on the front page.

Reelafonja:
i dy tell you, i can't count how many times i have seen a topic like this on the front page.

Wait for Sunday, I bet my 10000 Rands, there'll be another one.. qoute this post

A woman ur hands possess is called rape and is a sin. Do not let the devil deceive u with false teachings

I'll like to hear the story of Mohammed and the men of Al Zutt in the desert

I love this kind of question because it helps us to highlight the rich and diverse nature of Islamic jurisprudence, which seeks to apply divine law to the complexities of human life.

However, there's an overwhelming majority of Islamic scholars who consider masturbation to be haram, while there is a historical and conditional permissibility in some schools of thought, particularly when it serves as a means to prevent a greater sin.

So you follow your mind.

Kuku tell us. It appears you are familiar with the story, whatever it is.

BlackViper:
I think I know the answer to this question, but some people will not like it 😏

Is your black viper still active or you don self-service wetin no good for the viper body

Kuku tell us. It appears you are familiar with the story!

Ekrenji:
How did the semen get to his cloth?

Sunan Ibn Majah 538
Hammam bin Harith narrated:"A guest came and stayed with 'Aishah, and she ordered that he be given a yellow blanket of hers. He had a nocturnal emission on it, and he felt too shy to send it back to send it back to her when it had the traces of that emission on it, so he dipped it in water and then sent it to her. 'Aishah said: 'Why did he spoil our garment? It would have been sufficient for him to scrape it off with his finger.  I often scraped it (semen) from the garment of the Messenger of Allah with my finger.'"

The same Aishah (PBUH) that he started having intercourse with when she was 9 years old?

Teymanhenry:
Knowledge, education, and reflection have made me reconsider some things. I now believe that masturbation can be haram depending on the context. For example, if someone has a spouse and chooses to deny them intimacy but engages in masturbation instead, that could be considered sinful. However, if a person is unmarried and their body produces high levels of hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, or estrogen—leading to a heightened sex drive—then I believe masturbation may be permissible in that context.

do you understand that your body is able to take care of itself depending on what you take in.. so no matter how high your sexual drive is there’s always a way the body regulates that if you’re living healthily.. so masturbation is never the way, it’s more than haram