What Is the Legal Definition of Masturbation According to the Hanafi School?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: As salamu alaykum,

What is the legal definition of masturbation according to the Hanafi school?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Specifically, masturbation (istimna’) refers to the act of seeking to release sperm through other than lawful sexual intercourse, and generally, to any type of stimulation of the genitals in a sexually pleasurable way.

[Fayyumi, al-Misbah al-Munir; Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar (2.100)]

Please also see: A Reader on Pornography and Masturbation

And consider suggesting the website: purifyyourgaze.com

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.

Photo: Maymona