Does a young man's imagining of a woman while masturbating constitute zina (fornication/adultery) and thereby prohibit him from marrying her daughter?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is impermissible for a young man to practice masturbation and imagine having intercourse with a woman, because it is a desire for disobedience. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "And the heart yearns and wishes, and the private part confirms that or denies it." However, this imagination is not considered fornication that would prohibit marriage to the woman's daughter. So, he is permitted to marry her, unless there is an impediment like suckling. We advise the young man to marry to protect his chastity; otherwise, he must fast.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/92264
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 92264
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy