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Is it permissible to masturbate due to hormonal changes before and during menstruation, while feeling guilty, and is it forbidden if it does not lead to addiction and is not severely harmful?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The ruling on masturbation among jurists is tied to the evidence from Islamic law that condemns and prohibits it, as understood from the Almighty's saying: "And those who guard their private parts, Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed – But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors." Al-Baghawi and Al-Alusi stated that the majority of imams consider it forbidden, and that it falls under "whoever seeks beyond that." This is further confirmed by the fact that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not guide those whose souls longed for marriage to it. Rather, he directed them to fasting, saying: "O young men, whoever among you can afford to marry, let him do so, for it is more restraining to the gaze and better for guarding one's chastity. And whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him." As for hormonal changes, they do not imply that the action is not by the person's will. Rather, the matter requires striving against one's self and purifying it through faith, righteous deeds, fasting, good companionship, occupying one's time with beneficial matters, and staying away from stimulants and fantasies.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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