Reference: al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Fadheelatush-Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan – Volume 4, Page 272, Fatwa No. 277
Question: I am a student who is prone to masturbation. So my desires have overcome me such that I have not fasted [Ramadhaan] as a result and have abstained from performing my [obligatory] prayers for a long while. And now I try to exhert myself, and most of the time I succeed [in refraining from masturbation] such that sometimes I perform the witr prayer at night and likewise before I sleep. So, with all this, are my prayers accepted or do I have to make up the prayers?
And what is the ruling regarding masturbation, keeping in mind that I mostly do it when I watch the television or video?
Response: Practicing masturbation is haraam because it is seeking pleasure in other than what Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) has permitted. Allaah has not permitted the seeking of pleasure and satisfying the sexual desires except with [one’s own] wife or with that which the right hand possesses. Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) says:
{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 then, they are free from blame}, [Soorah al-Mu.minoon, Aayaat 5-6]
So, any [form of] seeking pleasure with other than [one’s own] wife or with that which the right hand possesses is considered prohibited and going against (the Law of Allaah).
The Prophet ﷺ advised the youth with a remedy which would alleviate [any] raging desires and the danger of [these] desires, as he ﷺ said:
«O gathering of youth! Whoever amongst you is able, then he should get married, since that is indeed more protective for the eyes and the private parts; and whoever is unable, then he should fast, for that is indeed better for him», [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]
So, the Messenger ﷺ advised with ridding ourselves of our desires and distancing ourselves from its dangers by one of two ways: either by fasting – for one who is unable [to get married] or by marrying – for one who is able [to get married].
This indicates that there is no third [option] for the youth to try. So, masturbation is haraam and is [thus] not permissible in any circumstance according to the majority of the people of knowledge.
You are therefore required to repent to Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) and not to revert to this act [of masturbating, rather] to distance yourself from that which affects (excites) your desires, as you have mentioned that you watch television and video and see [images] which excite the desires. So, that wich is obligatory upon you is to distance yourself from seeing such [images] and not turn the television or video on to watch these things which excite your desires. This is because this is from the means to evil, and the Muslim is required for himself to close [all] the doors to evil, and [in return] the doors to good shall be opened for him [in shaa.-Allaah].
So, distance yourself from all evil and fitnah that comes your way. And from the greatest causes of fitnah and evil are these films and soap operas which depict women in a manner which excites the desires. You are therefore required to distance yourself from these and [further] remove the means to this [evil].
As regards repeating the witr and naafilah prayers, then you are not required to do so, since the [previously mentioned evil] acts do not nullify the witr [prayer] or the tahajjud [prayer]; [as regards you having] masturbated, then this in itself is prohibited and you are sinning by doing so. However, the acts of worship which you have already performed according to [that which has been legislated in] the Sharee’ah, then they are not nullified except by shirk or apostasising – and Allaah’s Refuge is sought. As regards acts other than shirk and apostasising, then they do not nullify acts [of worship], however, they are regarded as sinful.
