Back to search

Is it permissible to masturbate if it leads to the renewal of faith and the performance of good deeds after repenting from it, and is it true that Imam Al-Shawkani permitted it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The prohibition of masturbation is confirmed due to its harms. The statement attributed to Ash-Shawkani permitting it was indeed uttered by him, but he also said it is among the ambiguous matters. Others have refuted him. Linking masturbation to the life of faith is a clear error, for what is praiseworthy is remorse for sin and seeking forgiveness. We advise the youth to adhere to the words of Allah and His Messenger, for therein lies success, guidance, and an escape from every difficulty. They should also embrace patience, piety, and reliance upon Allah, for "whoever fears Allah - He will make for him from his affair ease." Furthermore, they must guard their private parts and lower their gaze, for "whoever abandons something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better," and "whoever seeks abstinence, Allah will make him abstinent."

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

Read the full answer on Ftawy