Understanding Islam

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Further Exchange Regarding Masturbation During Fasting

December 2, 2002

Question

You say masturbation should be refrained from during fasting. But if someone indulges in such act, then what would be the fate of that fast? Whether would it be stable? What would be the penalty, if no more stable?

Answer

As a corollary of my opinion given in my original response, I hold that if a person, who agrees with my stated understanding, masturbates, while in a state of fasting and while fully conscious and mindful of his intended fast, then his fast shall stand invalidated.

As for the penalty of intentionally breaking an obligatory fast before its completion, the Shari`ah has not appointed a specific penalty for it. However, in view of the fact that breaking a fast, in its spirit, is closely related to breaking a vow of prohibiting something upon oneself, therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) applied the same penalty on breaking a fast as was appointed by the Shari`ah upon Zihar1.

According to this application of the Prophet (pbuh), if a person intentionally breaks his fast before its completion, he is recommended to:

  1. Fast for two consecutive months; or if that is not possible

  2. Feed sixty destitute people with food the standard of which should be comparable to the average standard of food taken by the person who has broken the fast.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Moiz Amjad
December 7, 2002

  1. This penalty is specified in Surah Al-Mujaadilah 58: 4. [↩]

Filed Under: Discussions, Halal and Haram, Worship and Fasting

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