Who is meant by the verses: "And those who guard their private parts (5) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed (6) But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors," and does it include men and women, or only one gender? And how can this be reconciled with the prohibition of masturbation for both genders, and the use of these verses by scholars as evidence?

The scholars mentioned that the intent of the noble verse: "And those who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those their right hands possess," refers to men exclusively, unlike other verses in Surat Al-Mu'minun, which are general for both men and women.

They supported this with the statements of Al-Baghawi, Al-Qurtubi, Al-Shawkani, and others, who said that enjoying female captives (milk al-yamin) is specific to men. It is not permissible for a woman to enjoy the private parts of her male slave, and this is a consensus among scholars.

As for a woman guarding her private parts, it is known from other evidence, such as the Almighty's saying: "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts," and the hadith: "If a woman prays her five [daily prayers], fasts her month [Ramadan], guards her private parts, and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: 'Enter Paradise from whichever of its gates you wish.'"