Question

Salam Sheikh sb. I have an inquiry regarding masturbation, as someone who struggles with this sin.

My question was if this action is done, does it come under the ruling of this hadith: Ibn Maajah (4245) Sahih, narrated from Thawbaan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I certainly know people of my ummah who will come on the Day of Resurrection with good deeds like the mountains of Tihaamah, but Allaah will make them like scattered dust.” Thawbaan said: O Messenger of Allaah, describe them to us and tell us more, so that we will not become of them unknowingly. He said: “They are your brothers and from your race, worshipping at night as you do, but they will be people who, when they are alone, transgress the sacred limits of Allaah.”
Looking forward to these 2 questions. Jazakumullahukhairan

Answer

In the hadith you mentioned in your question, the word ‘intahaka‘ is used, which carries multiple meanings, one of which pertains to considering something insignificant. In this context, the hadith could signify a person who sins while alone without shame, primarily due to not having a true fear of Allah. Your willingness to seek a solution to this matter is a positive indication that you do not fall under the warning in the hadith. However, you must not become complacent or ever consider this sin to be insignificant. Maintain a sincere desire to understand and improve your spiritual state, which will create a strong sense of self-awareness and enhance a genuine fear of displeasing Allah.

As you mentioned, masturbation is considered sinful in Islamic teachings. In light of this, it is highly recommended to turn to Allah in sincere repentance and make a resolute effort to abstain from this act. You can find practical advice on overcoming such issues in the following resource:

https://fatwacentre.org/uncategorized/overcoming-pornography-and-masturbation-addiction/

Regarding seeking a spiritual guide, we advise you watch the following video by Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLcQwEygF7s

سنن ابن ماجه (2/ 1418) – حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ الرَّمْلِيُّ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عُقْبَةُ بْنُ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ حَدِيجٍ الْمَعَافِرِيُّ، عَنْ أَرْطَاةَ بْنِ الْمُنْذِرِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَامِرٍ الْأَلْهَانِيِّ، عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «لَأَعْلَمَنَّ أَقْوَامًا مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَأْتُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِحَسَنَاتٍ أَمْثَالِ جِبَالِ تِهَامَةَ بِيضًا، فَيَجْعَلُهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ هَبَاءً مَنْثُورًا» ، قَالَ ثَوْبَانُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صِفْهُمْ لَنَا، جَلِّهِمْ لَنَا أَنْ لَا نَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ، وَنَحْنُ لَا نَعْلَمُ، قَالَ: «أَمَا إِنَّهُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ، وَمِنْ جِلْدَتِكُمْ، وَيَأْخُذُونَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ كَمَا تَأْخُذُونَ، وَلَكِنَّهُمْ أَقْوَامٌ إِذَا خَلَوْا بِمَحَارِمِ اللَّهِ انْتَهَكُوهَا»

مرشد ذوي الحجا والحاجة إلى سنن ابن ماجه والقول المكتفى على سنن المصطفى (26/ 103) – (انتهكوها) أي: استخفوا تحريم ما حرم الله عليهم من محرماته بارتكابها وعملها؛ كأنه تعالى لا يراهم.

الزواجر عن اقتراف الكبائر (2/ 211) – تَنْبِيهٌ: عَدُّ هَذَا هُوَ ظَاهِرُ الْحَدِيثِ الْأَوَّلِ وَلَيْسَ بِبَعِيدٍ وَإِنْ لَمْ أَرَ مَنْ ذَكَرَهُ؛ لِأَنَّ مَنْ كَانَ دَأْبُهُ إظْهَارَ الْحَسَنِ وَإِسْرَارَ الْقَبِيحِ يَعْظُمُ ضَرَرُهُ وَإِغْوَاؤُهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ؛ لِانْحِلَالِ رِبْقَةِ التَّقْوَى وَالْخَوْفِ مِنْ عُنُقِهِ.

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel