Question
I am a student who is prone to masturbation. So my desires
have overcome me such that I have not fasted (Ramadhaan) as a result and have
abstained from performing my (obligatory) prayers for a long while. And now I
try to exhort myself, and most of the time I succeed (in refraining from
masturbation) such that sometimes I perform the  Witr prayer at night and
likewise before I sleep. So, with all this, are my prayers accepted or do I have
to make up the prayers? And what is the ruling regarding masturbation, keeping
in mind that I mostly do it when I watch the television or video?
Response
Practicing masturbation is Haraam because it is seeking
pleasure in other than what Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) has permitted. Allaah
has not permitted the seeking of pleasure and satisfying the sexual desires
except with (one's own) wife or with that which the right hand possesses. Allaah
(Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:
{And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual
acts). Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right
hands possess, for then, they are free from blame}, [Soorah
al-Mu.minoon, Aayaat 5-6]
So, any (form of) seeking pleasure with other than (one's own) wife or with that
which the right hand possesses is considered prohibited and going against (the
Law of Allaah).
The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) advised the youth with a remedy
which would alleviate (any) raging desires and the danger of (these) desires, as
he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said:
((O gathering 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)), [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree - V.7, P.117]
So, the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) advised with ridding ourselves
of our desires and distancing ourselves from its dangers by one of two ways:
either by fasing - for one who is unable (to get married) or by marrying - for
one who is 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 permissible in any circumstance
according to the majority of the people of knowledge.
You are therefore required to repent to Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) and not
to revert to this act (of masturbating, rather) to distance yourself from that
which affects (excites) your desires, as you have mentioned that you watch
television and video and see (images) which excite the desires. So, that wich is
obligatory upon you is to distance yourself from seeing such (images) and not
turn the television or video on to watch these things which excite your desires.
This is because this is from the means to evil, and the Muslim is required for
himself to close (all) the doors to evil, and (in return) the doors to good
shall be opened for him (inshaa.-Allaah).
So, distance yourself from all evil and fitnah that comes your way. And from the
greatest causes of fitnah and evil are these films and soap operas which depict
women in a manner which excites the desires. You are therefore required to
distance yourself from these and (further) remove the means to this (evil).
As regards repeating the witr and naafilah 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); (as regards you having) masturbated, then
this in itself is prohibited and you are sinning by doing so. However, the acts
of worship which you have already performed according to (that which has been
legislated in) the Sharee'ah, then they are not nullified except by Shirk or
apostatising - and Allaah's Refuge is sought. As regards acts other than shirk
and apostatising, then they do not nullify acts (of worship), however, they are
regarded as sinful.
Shaykh Ibn al-Fowzaan
al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Fadheelatush-Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan - Volume 4, Page
272, Fatwa No. 277
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