Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

With ref to your answer regarding this question Masterbation , I have read in detail your answer , but I found you have not given any direct evidence from Quran or Hadith relating masterbation as a sin or smaller sin than zina. I do not know , may be I lack in knowledge than you , I havent read anywhere that masterbation is a sin or smaller sin than zina, where from this comparison has come , QURAN , Hadith or Imagination ?

I dont know if ALLAH SWT commanded to choose small sin if one is compelled or forced. 

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Answer:

Command to choose small sin

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 23 Surah Muminoon verses 1-11:

1 The Believers must (eventually) win through

2 Those who humble themselves in their prayers;

3 Who avoid vain talk;

4 Who are active in deeds of charity;

5 Who abstain from sex,

6 Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess; for (in their case) they are free from blame.

7 But those whose desires exceed those limits, are transgressors.

8 Those who faithfully observe their trust and their covenants;

9 And who (strictly) guard their prayers

10 Those will be the heirs

11 Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (forever).

The scholars of all schools of thought are unanimous in their opinion that the evil act of ‘masturbation’ would fall under the category of ‘those whose desires exceed the limits’.

The believers, who sincerely fear Allah and the Last Day, are duty bound to stay within the limits prescribed by Allah Subhanah. Those who exceed the limits prescribed by Allah, are indeed the transgressors; and Allah Subhanah does not love the transgressors.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 120:Eschew all sin, open or secret: those who earn sin will get due recompense for their "earnings."

The believers who sincerely fear Allah and the Last Day, must strive to abstain from all kinds of sins, whether they are major or minor!

The barometer to determine which sins fall into the ‘major’ category, and which fall into the ‘minor’ category is the terminology and the prescribed punishment of Allah Subhanah and His Messenger (saws). The bigger the punishment prescribed for a particular act, the bigger the enormity of the sin!

Allah Subhanah has prescribed a severe punishment for the sin of ‘zina’; and thus it is obviously considered one of the major sins in Shariah. When one compares the actual act of ‘zina’ with masturbation, there is no specific punishment described for masturbation in the life of this world; thus it would, by common-sense, be considered a smaller sin than the act of ‘zina’.

Your Question: I dont know if ALLAH SWT commanded to choose small sin if one is compelled or forced. 

The Merciful Lord would never command any of His believing slaves to commit a sin; big or small! The Guidance and Teachings of Allah and His Messenger (saws) is to eschew from all types of sins; big or small, open or secret.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 120:Eschew all sin, open or secret: those who earn sin will get due recompense for their "earnings."

But man being human, is always prone to error! And the Merciful Lord, in His Sublime and Infinite Mercy has left the door of repentance and Taubah open for every person until one meets with his appointment of death.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said in an authentic narration: “All the children of Adam are sinners; and the best sinner (in the sight of Allah Subhanah) is one who constantly seeks repentance (from Allah).”

But if one is compelled or forced, or is in a situation whereby his evil soul has so overpowered his good conscience, that he intends to commit a sin no matter what; then it would only be prudent for him to choose the smaller of the two sins he intends to commit.

For example, if a man is so upset at his brother that he intends to kill him, or hurt him, or abuse him; and if he cannot bring himself to take the higher path and forgive his brother, it would be better for him to abuse him rather than hurt him, or hurt him rather than taking the extreme step of killing him and bringing upon himself the Severe Wrath and Anger of Allah Subhanah! But if the man were to bring himself to forgive the brother who has wronged him; he would definitely earn the Pleasure and Good Will of the Merciful Lord.

Thus my beloved brother, it is always best to eschew from all types of deeds which result in the displeasure of the All-Mighty Lord; but if one is in a situation where he has left himself no option at all; then it would only be prudent for him to choose the smaller of the two sins.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan