Islamic Sexual Jurisprudence - Masturbation

Masturbation

Masturbation is forbidden by the majority of classical scholars but is permitted by some, for one who is unable to marry. This is true for both men and women. Such was the opinion of the cousin of the prophet and jurisprudent Ibn Abbass. Later scholars went so far as to permit the use of a dildo for women who are unable to marry. However, the majority were against the practice and even those who permitted it, such as Ibn Hazm al-Andalsui, stated that it is from 'makaarih al-akhlaaq' (reviled characteristics) whereas Islam supports the development of 'makaarim al-akhlaaq' (noble characteristics). Imam Ahmad, famed for strict adherence to primary sources, and as is famous in his school of thought (madhab), permitted masturbation as a means whereby soldiers, far away from their wives on a tour of duty, may remain chaste. Traditional Islamic scholarship prescribed fasting as a shield from fornication yet, as is clear from the above, there has always been a view to permit masturbation as the lesser of two evils (so as to ward of falling into fornication). Thus it is categorically incorrect to state that all Islamic scholars of the early Islamic age have unanimously agreed upon its prohibition, as some commentators have erroneously opined. The majority view, as cited by Imam aSh-Shafi'e, used the principle that in Islam, one should refrain from attaining sexual gratification before marriage, as in the translations of the following verses:

...Except their wives and those whom their right hands possess for they are not blameworthy (in their regard)... thus any sexual relations outside of these two categories was held to be prohibited.

Further:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." (24:30)

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss." (24:31)