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:

Assalamlkium,

I am a regular reader of this forum and has increased a lot of knowledge on Islam, may allah subhnaa taala reward you for the good deeds you are doing in the cause of spreading islam.

I have a question regarding masturbation,, i have tired a lot to get rid of this but could not, i know that is haram in islam, but dont you think that instead of commiting a major sin like ZINA, if one can control his feeling by masturbating how would you rate this situation, just remember while answering. that a person does not want to commit the major sin of ZINA.

Please respond as soon as possible, your brother in islam

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Masturbation instead of Zina

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.

Your Question: but dont you think that instead of commiting a major sin like ZINA, if one can control his feeling by masturbating how would you rate this situation

Beloved and dear Brother in Islam, both zina (adultery or fornication) and masturbation are extremely sinful acts in the sight of Allah Subhanah; but if one has to make a comparison between the two sins, then obviously the sin of ‘zina’ is much much larger than the sin of masturbation.

If one is in a situation where ones desires and lusts have so overpowered him, where walking away from committing the sin is not even an option; and the only option left to the person is to commit one of the two abominations: zina or masturbation; then obviously the person should abstain from ‘zina’ and choose the lesser of the two sins. Brother, one must realize that both ‘zina’ and masturbation are heinous sins in the sight of the Lord, and choosing a lesser sin would in no way avert the severe Accounting of the person on the Day of Judgment.

To put your question in perspective, its like asking someone that instead of committing a major sin like murder, if one just steals the person’s property would that be permissible? Beloved brother in Islam, yes, some sins are bigger than other sins; but sins are sins, and each and every deed a person does is in the Perfect and Absolute Knowledge of Allah Subhanah. Thus one should fear the Accounting of Allah Subhanah, respect and honor the boundaries laid down by The Majestic Lord, and strive one’s utmost to stay away and abstain from all types of sin.

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