What is the ruling on masturbation for unmarried youth and its punishment, and what is the punishment for one who repents from it then returns to it?

Masturbation is impermissible in Islamic law, based on the Almighty’s saying: "And those who guard their private parts except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors." A Muslim must abstain from it and seek Allah Almighty's help to abandon it. The repentant from sin will have their repentance accepted by Allah, and He will transform their evil deeds into good deeds, as the Almighty says: "Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds; for them Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful."