I am a student who is prone to masturbation. My desires would overcome me in the past such that I would miss fasting and prayers. Now I try to exhert myself, and most of the time I succeed (in refraining). So, with all this, are my prayers accepted or do I have to make up the prayers? What is the ruling on masturbation, keeping in mind that I mostly do it when I watch TV or video? A – Practicing masturbation is Haraam because it is seeking (sexual) pleasure in ways other than what Allah has permitted. Allah has not permitted the seeking of pleasure and satisfying the sexual desires except with (one's own) wife or with the one whom the right hand possesses. Allah says: “And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame.” (Qur'an, 23:5-6) So, any (form of) seeking pleasure with anyone other than (one's own) wife or with one whom the right hand possesses is considered prohibited and going against (the Law of Allah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised the youth with a remedy which would alleviate (any) raging desires and the danger of (these) desires, as he (peace be upon him) said: “O community of youth! Whoever amongst you is able, then he should get married, since that is indeed more protective for the eyes and the private parts; and whoever is unable, then he should fast, for that is indeed better for him.” (Al-Bukhari, vol.7, pg. 117) So, the Messenger (peace be upon him) advised with ridding ourselves of our desires and distancing ourselves from its dangers by one of two ways: either by fasting (for those who are unable to get married) or by marrying (for those who are able to get married). This indicates that there is no third (option) for the youth to try. So, masturbation is Haraam and is (thus) not permissibile in any circumstance, according to the majority of the people of knowledge. You are therefore required to repent to Allah and not to revert to this practice. Distance yourself from whatever affects (excites) your desires, as you have mentioned that you watch television and video and see (images) which excite the desires. So, it is obligatory upon you to distance yourself from seeing such (images) and do not turn on the TV or video on to watch these things. This is because all such things lead to evil, and the Muslim is required to close (all) the doors to evil for himself, and (in return) the doors to good will be opened for him (Insha Allah). So, distance yourself from all fitnah that comes your way. And among the greatest causes of fitnah and evil are these films and soap operas which depict women in a manner that excites the desires superogatory (Nafh). As regards repeating the witr and nafilah prayers, then you are not required to do so, since the (previously mentioned evil) acts do not nullify the witr (prayer) or the tahajjud (prayer). The acts of worship you have already performed are not nullified except by acts of shirk or committing apostasay – and Allah's Refuge is sought. As regards acts other than shirk and apostatizing, then they do not nullify acts (of worship), however, they are regarded as sinful. – Sheikh Saleh Al-Fowzan; Al-Muntaqaa min Fatawa; vol. 4, pg. 272, Fatwa No. 277 __
