4 Clear Proofs Why Wasting Sperm is Not Haram in Islam
C.J Ahmed-20.04.2023
Wasting sperm is a term used to discourage men from masturbation. This erroneous view is thought to cause many health problems which are not at all true. Masturbation is something which Islam has never prohibited and keep reding on to know why it is not haram to masturbate.
1st proof-According to the Shariah, if there is silence from the Quran and the Sunnah, then it falls as something that is permitted which in Islam known as 'Jaiz' which means “allowed” in Arabic. Every single teaching in Islam falls under six main categories and they are:
Wajib-Obligatory
Sunnah-Acts of worship if done would be rewarding but is not compulsory
Halal-Things which are permissible
Makrooh-Things which are disliked but isn’t sinful
Jaiz-Things which Islam is silent hence making it permissible by default
Haram-Things which are forbidden
Islam is clearly silent on masturbation and nothing has been authentically narrated of the prophet (sal) prohibiting it. This silence in Islam means that masturbation is something that falls under the category of “Jaiz” which is allowed and permissible.
The below hadith explains this follows:
"The Prophet (sal) said, “Verily Allah has obligated the obligations – so do not neglect them. And He has limited the limits – so do not transgress them. And His silence about things is from His mercy, not forgetfulness, so do not investigate them.”
(Hasan Sahih-Ad-Darqutni No. 4/199 and also Al-Baihaqi No. 10/122).
The above hadith is clear on why masturbation is halal and why we are forbidden from investigating from things which has come as a mercy from Allah (swt) by him being silent. Masturbation falls in to the things in which Islam is silent. This hadith also clearly proves that masturbation is a gift and a mercy from Allah (swt) to ease mankind's sexual desire. It is sad to note that due to the ignorance of the general Muslim community in the world, they have started to vigorously reject masturbation by trying to prove any verse or hadith which are unrelated. Due to the widespread ignorance that is prevalent, Muslims have fallen in to the blunder of deriving meanings which has nothing to do with masturbation.
2nd Proof-Misquoting Hadiths
Some wrongly quote the below hadith trying prove that masturbation is haram.
‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood (rali), who said: “We were with some youth not finding anything, so the Messenger of Allah, (sal) said: ‘O assembly of youth. Whoever from you is able to get married then let him do so, for it lowers the gaze and protects the privates. And whoever is unable, then it is (on him) to fast, for it is a protection”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Using this hadith some argue that masturbation is forbidden because the prophet (sal) told the youth who were unable to get married to fast and they say that if masturbation was an alternative, prophet (sal) would have mentioned it. What needs to be understood is that the prophet (sal) never made it an obligation for a Muslim who is unable to get married to fast. Fasting is only a Sunnah and whoever wants to fast can fast and whoever wants not to can definitely not fast as it is not a sin or an obligation. Just because the prophet (sal) did not mention one thing instead for the other does not necessarily mean that it’s forbidden. The Sunnah isn’t what he didn’t instruct his companions to avoid. Trying to derive something as forbidden on what the prophet (sal) didn’t instruct cannot be taken as a law in Islam Marriage is a recommended Sunnah and fasting is not an obligation.
The most important thing to be understood when knowing and understanding a verse in the Quran or Hadith is that you cannot give your wording and meaning to it. This was the methodology of the Salafus Saliheen. Deviants like the Mutazila and Asharia who went astray were the ones who interpreted verses in the Quran according to their own opinions and ending up twisting the meaning. A particular verse must be understand using all the other supporting verses and hadith and according to the understanding of the the sahabah. For an example, explaining what the major sins known as “Kabair”, The Quran says:
"Those who avoid great sins and Al-Fawahish (immoral sins) except Al-Lamam (minor sins) verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness."
(Al Quran-53-32)
The Kabair or major sins such as backbiting, adultery, fornication, murder and the evidence for them to be major sins are explained elsewhere in the Quran and several authentic hadiths. Now, if someone comes and argues that kissing a child is a major sin by quoting the above verse, will not make it a major sin because, there is no mention in the Quran or hadith stating so. Similarly, if someone is arguing that the verses 5, 6 and 7 of chapter 23 in the Quran speak about masturbation; will not prove that masturbation is haram because Islam is silent on this topic. Another example is in the verse in Surah Ahzab mentioned below:
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful"
(Al Quran-33:59)
The meaning of this verse" draw their cloaks all over their bodies" has been falsely misinterpreted to mean that the entire body of a woman has to be covered. But, by understanding the above verse using the Quran and the authentic hadiths, and the explanation of the companions of the prophet (Sal), it is quite clear, that the true meaning for the verse "draw their cloaks all over their bodies" is to cover the body except for the face,hands and the feet. There are so many other examples available and all them prove that the verse 5. 6. And 7 in chapter 23 has been wrongly interpreted.
3rd Proof-Using Wrong Fatwas to Forbid Masturbation
Allah has made masturbation halal but it is the Muslims who have made it haram for themselves. Some are famous for quoting the fatwas scholars like Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah, Sheikh Uthaymin, Sheikh Bin Baz, Sheik Naseeruddin Albani and others to prove that masturbation is haram. This blind following of scholars is also one reason why there is widespread arrogance to accept the proven fact that masturbation is not haram in Islam. My clear cut answer to them is that these respectable Imams are human beings and had made a mistake on the topic of masturbation. A scholar among the sahaba, Ibn Abbas (rali) allowed masturbation in a narration where he said:
“It’s better than committing Zina”.
(Musannaf of Abdurrazzaq no-13590)
Ibn Abbas being a Tafseer scholar clearly knew that there is no evidence to prove that masturbation and never quoted the verses in Surah Muhminoon (Chapter 23) to the young man to practice masturbation as it would protect him from committing zina. According to the Shariah, it is clear that no scholar who came after the sahabah is greater than them and there is no evidence for any sahaba criticizing ibn Abbas’s fatwa. Furthermore, there are authentic hadiths indicating Jabir (rali) too allowing masturbation. In a hadith narrated by Aisha (rali), Jabir (rali) said:
"The person who gets discharge after casting a look should complete his fast (without breaking it)."
(Bukhari)
In this hadith, Jabir (rali) never criticized the person getting a discharge while masturbating but rather said that he should continue fasting without breaking it.
It is clear from the understanding of the companions of the prophet (Sal), masturbation is not haram. The sahaba were the best of this Ummah and there is clear evidence to prove that we should stick to the sahaba's understanding ,as well as to the Tabioon and tab at tabeen, who are the Salafus Saliheen (the righteous generation)
All the imams who came afterwards and held the opinion that masturbation is haram has erred. Their argument does not hold water. There are scholars among the salaf who made masturbation permissible and some of them are, Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, Tawus Ibn Kaysan, Imam Ibn Hazm and Imam Shawkani. The above evidence clearly proves and invalidates all the false arguments which are against masturbation. Masturbation is halal for both men and women. There is no restriction whatsoever for masturbation and anyone can engage in masturbation the way they want whether it’s with their hands, using sex toys such as vibrators, dildos, artificial vaginas or if it is by any other means.
4th Proof-False Hadiths on Masturbation
Ibn Juraij asked about masturbation and Atta Bin Rabah said;
“This act is Makruh (Makruh Tahremi) as I heard some people will be resurrected in such a condition that their hands will be pregnant, I think they are those who masturbated“.
(Bayhaqi, Volume 7, Hadith No-5087)
The above hadith is weak in its narration because one of its narrators Muslima Bin Jafar is unknown. There are multiple weaknesses in this hadith. First the weakness is in its narrators as explained above and the weakness in its text (Matn). The statement of the text is that what Attab Bin Rabah mentioned “I heard some people will be resurrected” He does not mention from whom. It could mean from anyone. The other point is that Atta Ibn Rabah does not know whether it means masturbation as he mentions that he thinks that its masturbation. Even if we assume that the above hadith is authentic, it’s only an opinion of an individual.
The next hadith is the hadith which is narrated in Baihaqi. The prophet (Sal) said;
"Seven persons are such that Allah will not look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He purify them, nor will He include them among the learned, and Allah will enter them into Hell. They will enter Hell first, except for those who repent, as those who repent, Allah will accept their repentance: a person who masturbates; a person who performs the act of sodomy; the person upon whom the act of sodomy is performed; a perpetual drunkard; the person who hits his parents so much that they appeal for help; the person who harms his neighbors so much so that they curse him; the person who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife."
(Baihaqi Shuaib Al Iman-The hadith is a weak hadith. It was graded as weak by Imam Ibn Jawzi in Al-‘Ilal Al-Mutanaahiyah, and Ibn Kathir who graded as weak because it has an unknown chain of narrators. It was graded daif by Al Azi and Al Dylami as well).
Anas (Ra) narrates that the Prophet (Sal) said:
“The person who performs nikaah with his hands (i.e. he masturbates) is cursed”.
(Tafseer Mazhari: vol.12, pg. 94-This hadith is Mawdoo (Fabricated hadith) and has no basis. Ismail Al-Ujalwani in his book Kashaf-ul-Akhfa said that it has no basis and Mullah Al Qari in his book, Asrar-ul-Marfua also said that it has no basis).
The other fabricated hadith that has no basis at all is the hadith of Saeed bin Jubair (Rali) who said that;
"Allah Ta'aala will inflict a punishment on a group of people because they played with their private parts”
(Quoted in Tafseer Mazhari-this hadith has no basis).
Those who quite such hadiths should fear Allah (Swt) for spreading lies to prove that masturbation is haram. The prophet (Sal) warned in a hadith by saying as narrated by Salama (Rali);
"Whoever (intentionally) ascribes to me what I have not said then (surely) let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire."
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
After coming this far reading the and understanding the various weak and fabricated hadiths prohibiting masturbation. it will be clear that Islam as opposed to wrong opinions is the most lenient religion in all affairs including sexuality.
Wasting sperm is a term used to discourage men from masturbation. This erroneous view is thought to cause many health problems which are not at all true. Masturbation is something which Islam has never prohibited and keep reding on to know why it is not haram to masturbate.
1st proof-According to the Shariah, if there is silence from the Quran and the Sunnah, then it falls as something that is permitted which in Islam known as 'Jaiz' which means “allowed” in Arabic. Every single teaching in Islam falls under six main categories and they are:
Wajib-Obligatory
Sunnah-Acts of worship if done would be rewarding but is not compulsory
Halal-Things which are permissible
Makrooh-Things which are disliked but isn’t sinful
Jaiz-Things which Islam is silent hence making it permissible by default
Haram-Things which are forbidden
Islam is clearly silent on masturbation and nothing has been authentically narrated of the prophet (sal) prohibiting it. This silence in Islam means that masturbation is something that falls under the category of “Jaiz” which is allowed and permissible.
The below hadith explains this follows:
"The Prophet (sal) said, “Verily Allah has obligated the obligations – so do not neglect them. And He has limited the limits – so do not transgress them. And His silence about things is from His mercy, not forgetfulness, so do not investigate them.”
(Hasan Sahih-Ad-Darqutni No. 4/199 and also Al-Baihaqi No. 10/122).
The above hadith is clear on why masturbation is halal and why we are forbidden from investigating from things which has come as a mercy from Allah (swt) by him being silent. Masturbation falls in to the things in which Islam is silent. This hadith also clearly proves that masturbation is a gift and a mercy from Allah (swt) to ease mankind's sexual desire. It is sad to note that due to the ignorance of the general Muslim community in the world, they have started to vigorously reject masturbation by trying to prove any verse or hadith which are unrelated. Due to the widespread ignorance that is prevalent, Muslims have fallen in to the blunder of deriving meanings which has nothing to do with masturbation.
2nd Proof-Misquoting Hadiths
Some wrongly quote the below hadith trying prove that masturbation is haram.
‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood (rali), who said: “We were with some youth not finding anything, so the Messenger of Allah, (sal) said: ‘O assembly of youth. Whoever from you is able to get married then let him do so, for it lowers the gaze and protects the privates. And whoever is unable, then it is (on him) to fast, for it is a protection”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Using this hadith some argue that masturbation is forbidden because the prophet (sal) told the youth who were unable to get married to fast and they say that if masturbation was an alternative, prophet (sal) would have mentioned it. What needs to be understood is that the prophet (sal) never made it an obligation for a Muslim who is unable to get married to fast. Fasting is only a Sunnah and whoever wants to fast can fast and whoever wants not to can definitely not fast as it is not a sin or an obligation. Just because the prophet (sal) did not mention one thing instead for the other does not necessarily mean that it’s forbidden. The Sunnah isn’t what he didn’t instruct his companions to avoid. Trying to derive something as forbidden on what the prophet (sal) didn’t instruct cannot be taken as a law in Islam Marriage is a recommended Sunnah and fasting is not an obligation.
The most important thing to be understood when knowing and understanding a verse in the Quran or Hadith is that you cannot give your wording and meaning to it. This was the methodology of the Salafus Saliheen. Deviants like the Mutazila and Asharia who went astray were the ones who interpreted verses in the Quran according to their own opinions and ending up twisting the meaning. A particular verse must be understand using all the other supporting verses and hadith and according to the understanding of the the sahabah. For an example, explaining what the major sins known as “Kabair”, The Quran says:
"Those who avoid great sins and Al-Fawahish (immoral sins) except Al-Lamam (minor sins) verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness."
(Al Quran-53-32)
The Kabair or major sins such as backbiting, adultery, fornication, murder and the evidence for them to be major sins are explained elsewhere in the Quran and several authentic hadiths. Now, if someone comes and argues that kissing a child is a major sin by quoting the above verse, will not make it a major sin because, there is no mention in the Quran or hadith stating so. Similarly, if someone is arguing that the verses 5, 6 and 7 of chapter 23 in the Quran speak about masturbation; will not prove that masturbation is haram because Islam is silent on this topic. Another example is in the verse in Surah Ahzab mentioned below:
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful"
(Al Quran-33:59)
The meaning of this verse" draw their cloaks all over their bodies" has been falsely misinterpreted to mean that the entire body of a woman has to be covered. But, by understanding the above verse using the Quran and the authentic hadiths, and the explanation of the companions of the prophet (Sal), it is quite clear, that the true meaning for the verse "draw their cloaks all over their bodies" is to cover the body except for the face,hands and the feet. There are so many other examples available and all them prove that the verse 5. 6. And 7 in chapter 23 has been wrongly interpreted.
3rd Proof-Using Wrong Fatwas to Forbid Masturbation
Allah has made masturbation halal but it is the Muslims who have made it haram for themselves. Some are famous for quoting the fatwas scholars like Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah, Sheikh Uthaymin, Sheikh Bin Baz, Sheik Naseeruddin Albani and others to prove that masturbation is haram. This blind following of scholars is also one reason why there is widespread arrogance to accept the proven fact that masturbation is not haram in Islam. My clear cut answer to them is that these respectable Imams are human beings and had made a mistake on the topic of masturbation. A scholar among the sahaba, Ibn Abbas (rali) allowed masturbation in a narration where he said:
“It’s better than committing Zina”.
(Musannaf of Abdurrazzaq no-13590)
Ibn Abbas being a Tafseer scholar clearly knew that there is no evidence to prove that masturbation and never quoted the verses in Surah Muhminoon (Chapter 23) to the young man to practice masturbation as it would protect him from committing zina. According to the Shariah, it is clear that no scholar who came after the sahabah is greater than them and there is no evidence for any sahaba criticizing ibn Abbas’s fatwa. Furthermore, there are authentic hadiths indicating Jabir (rali) too allowing masturbation. In a hadith narrated by Aisha (rali), Jabir (rali) said:
"The person who gets discharge after casting a look should complete his fast (without breaking it)."
(Bukhari)
In this hadith, Jabir (rali) never criticized the person getting a discharge while masturbating but rather said that he should continue fasting without breaking it.
It is clear from the understanding of the companions of the prophet (Sal), masturbation is not haram. The sahaba were the best of this Ummah and there is clear evidence to prove that we should stick to the sahaba's understanding ,as well as to the Tabioon and tab at tabeen, who are the Salafus Saliheen (the righteous generation)
All the imams who came afterwards and held the opinion that masturbation is haram has erred. Their argument does not hold water. There are scholars among the salaf who made masturbation permissible and some of them are, Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, Tawus Ibn Kaysan, Imam Ibn Hazm and Imam Shawkani. The above evidence clearly proves and invalidates all the false arguments which are against masturbation. Masturbation is halal for both men and women. There is no restriction whatsoever for masturbation and anyone can engage in masturbation the way they want whether it’s with their hands, using sex toys such as vibrators, dildos, artificial vaginas or if it is by any other means.
4th Proof-False Hadiths on Masturbation
Ibn Juraij asked about masturbation and Atta Bin Rabah said;
“This act is Makruh (Makruh Tahremi) as I heard some people will be resurrected in such a condition that their hands will be pregnant, I think they are those who masturbated“.
(Bayhaqi, Volume 7, Hadith No-5087)
The above hadith is weak in its narration because one of its narrators Muslima Bin Jafar is unknown. There are multiple weaknesses in this hadith. First the weakness is in its narrators as explained above and the weakness in its text (Matn). The statement of the text is that what Attab Bin Rabah mentioned “I heard some people will be resurrected” He does not mention from whom. It could mean from anyone. The other point is that Atta Ibn Rabah does not know whether it means masturbation as he mentions that he thinks that its masturbation. Even if we assume that the above hadith is authentic, it’s only an opinion of an individual.
The next hadith is the hadith which is narrated in Baihaqi. The prophet (Sal) said;
"Seven persons are such that Allah will not look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He purify them, nor will He include them among the learned, and Allah will enter them into Hell. They will enter Hell first, except for those who repent, as those who repent, Allah will accept their repentance: a person who masturbates; a person who performs the act of sodomy; the person upon whom the act of sodomy is performed; a perpetual drunkard; the person who hits his parents so much that they appeal for help; the person who harms his neighbors so much so that they curse him; the person who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife."
(Baihaqi Shuaib Al Iman-The hadith is a weak hadith. It was graded as weak by Imam Ibn Jawzi in Al-‘Ilal Al-Mutanaahiyah, and Ibn Kathir who graded as weak because it has an unknown chain of narrators. It was graded daif by Al Azi and Al Dylami as well).
Anas (Ra) narrates that the Prophet (Sal) said:
“The person who performs nikaah with his hands (i.e. he masturbates) is cursed”.
(Tafseer Mazhari: vol.12, pg. 94-This hadith is Mawdoo (Fabricated hadith) and has no basis. Ismail Al-Ujalwani in his book Kashaf-ul-Akhfa said that it has no basis and Mullah Al Qari in his book, Asrar-ul-Marfua also said that it has no basis).
The other fabricated hadith that has no basis at all is the hadith of Saeed bin Jubair (Rali) who said that;
"Allah Ta'aala will inflict a punishment on a group of people because they played with their private parts”
(Quoted in Tafseer Mazhari-this hadith has no basis).
Those who quite such hadiths should fear Allah (Swt) for spreading lies to prove that masturbation is haram. The prophet (Sal) warned in a hadith by saying as narrated by Salama (Rali);
"Whoever (intentionally) ascribes to me what I have not said then (surely) let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire."
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
After coming this far reading the and understanding the various weak and fabricated hadiths prohibiting masturbation. it will be clear that Islam as opposed to wrong opinions is the most lenient religion in all affairs including sexuality.