What is the ruling on sufficing with ablution (wudu') for prayer and reading the Qur'an for one who is addicted to masturbation and finds it difficult to perform ghusl (ritual bath) every time? And should he continue in this state to attend congregational prayer, or should he forgo it and combine the prayers until he can perform ghusl?

First: Many people have practiced masturbation and repented from it. The reasons for abandoning it are diverse, including fear of Allah, shyness before Him and His angels, knowledge of its prohibition, awareness of its physical and psychological harms and its impact on married life, and its incompatibility with sound human nature. You should reflect on two matters: What if someone you respect saw you practicing this habit? Allah and His angels see you. And what if death overtook you while you were practicing it?

Second: The emission of semen with desire necessitates ghusl (full ritual bath). Wudu (ablution) is not sufficient for prayer in this situation. Prayer without ghusl in a state of janaba (ritual impurity due to sexual discharge) is invalid and is considered a mockery of the Sharia, and it is a major sin. Abandoning prayer due to masturbation leads to disbelief and expulsion from Islam. True escape from punishment is by fleeing to Allah Almighty, meaning from disobeying Him to obeying Him.