5 Powerful Proofs Why Istimna While Fasting Is Halal
By C.J Ahmed
14/07/2019 Updated-20/07/2020
Masturbation while fasting is not forbidden in Islam although there are various opinions going back and forth about it on whether it is allowed or not. The four maid schools of thought known as 'madhhab" have given their opinions whether you can masturbate while fasting and the majority of the scholars view it as a forbidden act during the month of Ramadan or other months.
My earlier article, "Why masturbation is halal" (Link https://cjislam.weebly.com/why-masturbation-is-not-haram.html) had become a hit and in this article I want to address another misunderstood issue which is the issue of masturbating while fasting. Most Muslims in the world do not know that masturbating while fasting or during the month of Ramazan is not haram in Islam and will not break the fast. There are so much misinformation out there that is fed by half baked pseudo sheikhs who have brainwashed mostly the Muslim youth that if you masturbate your fasting is nullified. During the time of the prophet (Sal) and his companions, Islam was practiced in its purest form and the time of the companions and the righteous generations that followed after them are the best of generations.
These pious predecessors never made this religion hard. But unfortunately this is not the case when looking at the actions of the Muslims who are living in this era. The Muslims in this era are acting as if they are far more superior in knowledge than the companions. Their ultra-puritanical form of interpretations are based on judgments based either by deviated individuals like Ismail menk, Nouman ali khan and their likes or on the wrong fatwas (religious verdicts) of scholars of the Ahlus sunna wal Jama’ah (the group that hold upon the Sunnah or in other words those who are in the understanding of the salaf).
The wrong fatwas that masturbation is haram has also been promoted during the months other than Ramazanas well. During the month of Ramazan this argument gets a form of new icing. Online half-baked preachers of Islam not only denounce masturbation during the month of Ramazan, they go further by arguing that if you masturbate while fasting, your fast is invalid and you have to make up for it on another day. Some even go far into even saying that you have to give kaffara (manumit a slave, feed sixty poor people or fast for two consecutive months).
All of these arguments are stemming as a result of the ignorance of the Muslims and the widespread blind following of Madhhabs and individuals that is rampant among Muslims (this is not confined only among the Muslims). Istimna in Shia Islam which is a deviated sect has stringent rules forbidding masturbation during Ramazan. I have already debunked the false notion that masturbation is a sin. The argument that masturbation nullifies fasting is based on the wrong understanding of the following verse,"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous"(Al-Quran-2:183)
First of all there is no evidence from the Quran or the authentic sunnah to prove that masturbation will break the fast. The above verse in the Quran has nothing to do with masturbation. Like all the other false arguments, this argument is also misrepresented. In this verse Allah (Swt) says why fasting is prescribed and the word "Taqwa" (Righteousness) is what Islam explains as righteousness and not any person's personal opinion. The weak argument that is put forward using this verse is that you cannot attain taqwa while fasting if you masturbate. My question is,who said so. If that is so, then it would have been mentioned in the Quran or a sahih hadith. The next argument is used by quoting a few hadiths and they are:
Abu Hurayrah (Rali) narrated
The Prophet (Sal) said,
"Allah said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from Hell) and there are two pleasures for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk."
(Sahih- Al-Bukhari)
Abu Hurayrah (Rali) said: The Messenger of Allaah (Sal) said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be given a ten-fold reward, up to seven hundred. Allaah says: ‘Except fasting, for it is for me, and I shall reward for it, for he gives up his desire and his food for my sake”
(Sahih Al Bukhari and Muslim) and in another hadith the prophet (Sal) said,
"Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”.
(Bukhari)
If looked closely at all these hadiths mentioned, you can realize that none of these hadith talk about masturbating while fasting. The argument taken from these hadiths is that of leaving sexual desire while fasting. There is clear evidence to prove that the prophet (Sal) did have sexual relations with his wives while fasting and the term "sexual desire" should be understood with the actions of our beloved messenger (Sal) and not the various assumptions put forward by ordinary people. The meaning of leaving sexual desires means not penetrating the penis inside the vagina and this is how we should understand it because this is what's in context to the authentic hadiths and the Sahaba's understanding.
You can watch my video on how to masturbate during the month of Ramadan or while fasting.
14/07/2019 Updated-20/07/2020
Masturbation while fasting is not forbidden in Islam although there are various opinions going back and forth about it on whether it is allowed or not. The four maid schools of thought known as 'madhhab" have given their opinions whether you can masturbate while fasting and the majority of the scholars view it as a forbidden act during the month of Ramadan or other months.
My earlier article, "Why masturbation is halal" (Link https://cjislam.weebly.com/why-masturbation-is-not-haram.html) had become a hit and in this article I want to address another misunderstood issue which is the issue of masturbating while fasting. Most Muslims in the world do not know that masturbating while fasting or during the month of Ramazan is not haram in Islam and will not break the fast. There are so much misinformation out there that is fed by half baked pseudo sheikhs who have brainwashed mostly the Muslim youth that if you masturbate your fasting is nullified. During the time of the prophet (Sal) and his companions, Islam was practiced in its purest form and the time of the companions and the righteous generations that followed after them are the best of generations.
These pious predecessors never made this religion hard. But unfortunately this is not the case when looking at the actions of the Muslims who are living in this era. The Muslims in this era are acting as if they are far more superior in knowledge than the companions. Their ultra-puritanical form of interpretations are based on judgments based either by deviated individuals like Ismail menk, Nouman ali khan and their likes or on the wrong fatwas (religious verdicts) of scholars of the Ahlus sunna wal Jama’ah (the group that hold upon the Sunnah or in other words those who are in the understanding of the salaf).
The wrong fatwas that masturbation is haram has also been promoted during the months other than Ramazanas well. During the month of Ramazan this argument gets a form of new icing. Online half-baked preachers of Islam not only denounce masturbation during the month of Ramazan, they go further by arguing that if you masturbate while fasting, your fast is invalid and you have to make up for it on another day. Some even go far into even saying that you have to give kaffara (manumit a slave, feed sixty poor people or fast for two consecutive months).
All of these arguments are stemming as a result of the ignorance of the Muslims and the widespread blind following of Madhhabs and individuals that is rampant among Muslims (this is not confined only among the Muslims). Istimna in Shia Islam which is a deviated sect has stringent rules forbidding masturbation during Ramazan. I have already debunked the false notion that masturbation is a sin. The argument that masturbation nullifies fasting is based on the wrong understanding of the following verse,"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous"(Al-Quran-2:183)
First of all there is no evidence from the Quran or the authentic sunnah to prove that masturbation will break the fast. The above verse in the Quran has nothing to do with masturbation. Like all the other false arguments, this argument is also misrepresented. In this verse Allah (Swt) says why fasting is prescribed and the word "Taqwa" (Righteousness) is what Islam explains as righteousness and not any person's personal opinion. The weak argument that is put forward using this verse is that you cannot attain taqwa while fasting if you masturbate. My question is,who said so. If that is so, then it would have been mentioned in the Quran or a sahih hadith. The next argument is used by quoting a few hadiths and they are:
Abu Hurayrah (Rali) narrated
The Prophet (Sal) said,
"Allah said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from Hell) and there are two pleasures for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk."
(Sahih- Al-Bukhari)
Abu Hurayrah (Rali) said: The Messenger of Allaah (Sal) said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be given a ten-fold reward, up to seven hundred. Allaah says: ‘Except fasting, for it is for me, and I shall reward for it, for he gives up his desire and his food for my sake”
(Sahih Al Bukhari and Muslim) and in another hadith the prophet (Sal) said,
"Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”.
(Bukhari)
If looked closely at all these hadiths mentioned, you can realize that none of these hadith talk about masturbating while fasting. The argument taken from these hadiths is that of leaving sexual desire while fasting. There is clear evidence to prove that the prophet (Sal) did have sexual relations with his wives while fasting and the term "sexual desire" should be understood with the actions of our beloved messenger (Sal) and not the various assumptions put forward by ordinary people. The meaning of leaving sexual desires means not penetrating the penis inside the vagina and this is how we should understand it because this is what's in context to the authentic hadiths and the Sahaba's understanding.
You can watch my video on how to masturbate during the month of Ramadan or while fasting.
Evidence to prove that masturbation won’t break the fast.
The other wrong notion that is prevalent among Muslims is that during Ramadan or during other voluntary fasts, if a person masturbates, his/her fast or in other words sawm will be invalidated (broken). Let me answer this wrong argument with the most authentic hadiths of the prophet(sal) and according to the understanding of the sahaba and the salaf-us-saliheen. The most important point to note is that there is no evidence from the Quran or the authentic Sunnah to prove that masturbation will break your sawm (Fast). Below are the five powerful proofs to prove why istimna while fasting is halal in Islam.
Powerful Proof-1
Sheikh Albani (Raheemahullah) clearly explains this in his book “Tamaam al minnah” pages 418-420, with all the authentic evidence that masturbation does not invalidate fast. In a hadith,
Narrated by Aisha (Rali), “The prophet (Sal) would do Mubaasharaah (having sexual relations) when he was Fasting, and would place a cloth between him and her, meaning over the private part.”
(Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. Its Isnad is Good (Jayyid)).
Powerful Proof-2
In another hadith,
“He (the Prophet, Sallallaahu alayhi wa Sallam) used to kiss when fasting, touch when fasting, and was the most in control of his desires”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others).
The above hadiths prove from the actions of the prophet (Sal) that having sexual relations during Ramadan is not haram except having intercourse by entering the penis in to the vagina. These hadiths prove clearly that doing anything other than sexual intercourse even if you ejaculate semen or other female secretion, would not invalidate the fast and there is no kaffara for this.
Powerful Proofs-3
Proofs that masturbation while fasting is halal is further strengthened with the below narration of Aisha (Rali) in response to someone who asked her:
“What is Halaal (permissible) for a man to do with his wife when he is fasting?”
She said, “Everything except intercourse.”
(This was reported by ‘Abdir-Razzaaq in his Musannaf (4 / 190/8439) with a Saheeh (authentic) chain).
Powerful Proof-4
The word “Mubaasharaah” in these hadiths are used to interpret that the meaning is to kiss.
This is a false argument because this is not the meaning as explained in the below hadith.
“If one of us was menstruating, and Allah’s Messenger (Sal) wanted to touch us (Mubaasharah), he would command her to wrap a cloth around her area of menstruation, then touch her. She then said, and who amongst you is capable of controlling his desires [like him]?”
(Sahih Al Bukhari and Muslim).
The meaning in this hadith for “Mubaasharah” is the same as quoted in the above hadith of Ahmed and Ibn Khuzaymah. The meaning for Mubaasharaah is not kissing. It is to touch. This is what was understood by the companions of the prophet (Sal) Like Aisha (Rali) and others.
Powerful Proof-5
Ibn Hazm in his Muhalla mentioned an authentic hadith which was declared as Athar Sahih (meaning an authentic hadith from a companion)
“That a man came to Ibn ‘Abbas and said to him, ‘I just got married to my beautiful paternal cousin, and I consummated the marriage in Ramadaan. So is it permissible for me, Bi Abee wa Ummee (I am willing to sacrifice my father and mother, (a common Arab phrase)), to kiss her?’ Ibn ‘Abbas said to him, ‘Can you control yourself?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Kiss her.’ He said, ‘Bi Abee wa Ummee, can I touch her?’ He said, ‘Can you control yourself?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Then touch her.’ He said, ‘Can I touch her private part with my hand?’ He said, ‘Can you control yourself?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Touch it"
There is a wonderful benefit when masturbating while fasting during the month of Ramazan or non obligatory fasts is that you can double control your desires by both by fasting and masturbating.
From the hadiths of the prophet (sal) and the understanding of the companions, it is very clear that having sexual relations is allowed with your wife during Ramazan and the only thing that will break your fast is, if you enter your sexual organ on to hers and anything else including masturbation and also ejaculation won’t break the fast. The most important point to note is that there is no evidence from the Quran or the authentic Sunnah to prove that masturbation will break your sawm (Fast). My advice to Muslim brothers and sisters is, do not allow others take advantage of your ignorance in Islam and None of these misunderstandings will occur if Muslims only knew the correct law of fiqh (Jurisprudence) and it should be noted that Islam is a religion of mercy and ease. Istimna halal is the way forward for ease in sexual pressure for Muslims.
The other wrong notion that is prevalent among Muslims is that during Ramadan or during other voluntary fasts, if a person masturbates, his/her fast or in other words sawm will be invalidated (broken). Let me answer this wrong argument with the most authentic hadiths of the prophet(sal) and according to the understanding of the sahaba and the salaf-us-saliheen. The most important point to note is that there is no evidence from the Quran or the authentic Sunnah to prove that masturbation will break your sawm (Fast). Below are the five powerful proofs to prove why istimna while fasting is halal in Islam.
Powerful Proof-1
Sheikh Albani (Raheemahullah) clearly explains this in his book “Tamaam al minnah” pages 418-420, with all the authentic evidence that masturbation does not invalidate fast. In a hadith,
Narrated by Aisha (Rali), “The prophet (Sal) would do Mubaasharaah (having sexual relations) when he was Fasting, and would place a cloth between him and her, meaning over the private part.”
(Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. Its Isnad is Good (Jayyid)).
Powerful Proof-2
In another hadith,
“He (the Prophet, Sallallaahu alayhi wa Sallam) used to kiss when fasting, touch when fasting, and was the most in control of his desires”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others).
The above hadiths prove from the actions of the prophet (Sal) that having sexual relations during Ramadan is not haram except having intercourse by entering the penis in to the vagina. These hadiths prove clearly that doing anything other than sexual intercourse even if you ejaculate semen or other female secretion, would not invalidate the fast and there is no kaffara for this.
Powerful Proofs-3
Proofs that masturbation while fasting is halal is further strengthened with the below narration of Aisha (Rali) in response to someone who asked her:
“What is Halaal (permissible) for a man to do with his wife when he is fasting?”
She said, “Everything except intercourse.”
(This was reported by ‘Abdir-Razzaaq in his Musannaf (4 / 190/8439) with a Saheeh (authentic) chain).
Powerful Proof-4
The word “Mubaasharaah” in these hadiths are used to interpret that the meaning is to kiss.
This is a false argument because this is not the meaning as explained in the below hadith.
“If one of us was menstruating, and Allah’s Messenger (Sal) wanted to touch us (Mubaasharah), he would command her to wrap a cloth around her area of menstruation, then touch her. She then said, and who amongst you is capable of controlling his desires [like him]?”
(Sahih Al Bukhari and Muslim).
The meaning in this hadith for “Mubaasharah” is the same as quoted in the above hadith of Ahmed and Ibn Khuzaymah. The meaning for Mubaasharaah is not kissing. It is to touch. This is what was understood by the companions of the prophet (Sal) Like Aisha (Rali) and others.
Powerful Proof-5
Ibn Hazm in his Muhalla mentioned an authentic hadith which was declared as Athar Sahih (meaning an authentic hadith from a companion)
“That a man came to Ibn ‘Abbas and said to him, ‘I just got married to my beautiful paternal cousin, and I consummated the marriage in Ramadaan. So is it permissible for me, Bi Abee wa Ummee (I am willing to sacrifice my father and mother, (a common Arab phrase)), to kiss her?’ Ibn ‘Abbas said to him, ‘Can you control yourself?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Kiss her.’ He said, ‘Bi Abee wa Ummee, can I touch her?’ He said, ‘Can you control yourself?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Then touch her.’ He said, ‘Can I touch her private part with my hand?’ He said, ‘Can you control yourself?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Touch it"
There is a wonderful benefit when masturbating while fasting during the month of Ramazan or non obligatory fasts is that you can double control your desires by both by fasting and masturbating.
From the hadiths of the prophet (sal) and the understanding of the companions, it is very clear that having sexual relations is allowed with your wife during Ramazan and the only thing that will break your fast is, if you enter your sexual organ on to hers and anything else including masturbation and also ejaculation won’t break the fast. The most important point to note is that there is no evidence from the Quran or the authentic Sunnah to prove that masturbation will break your sawm (Fast). My advice to Muslim brothers and sisters is, do not allow others take advantage of your ignorance in Islam and None of these misunderstandings will occur if Muslims only knew the correct law of fiqh (Jurisprudence) and it should be noted that Islam is a religion of mercy and ease. Istimna halal is the way forward for ease in sexual pressure for Muslims.