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Islam acknowledges the fact that one’s sexual desire has to be satisfied in a manner pertinent to Shari’ah law, (i.e. through marriage). One may not satisfy his desire in any other way. Allah praises those who abide by these laws saying:
Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who shun all that which is vain. And who are active in paying the Zakah, and who guard their chastity, except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then they are not to be blamed. (23:1-6)
Allah, the Exalted, encourages Muslims to get married, as this was a Sunnah (practice) of all Prophets and Messengers, may Allah render them safe from every derogatory thing. Allah () says:
And indeed We have sent before you Messengers, and bestowed them with wives and children. (13:38
The Messenger of Allah () also encouraged Muslims to get married and have offspring. Ma’qal b. Ya’saar () said:
“A man came to the Messenger of Allah () and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am going to get married to a woman who is of noble descent, status and is rich but she is barren. Shall I marry her? The Messenger of Allah () said:
‘Marry the amicable and fertile woman, for I will boast (the large number of) my nation before all nations (on the Day of Resurrection).’” (Abu Dawood)
Islam has ordered Muslims to assist the one who wants to get married immediately. Abu Hurairah () reported that the Messenger of Allah () said:
‘If you are approached by a man (whose manners and Deen you are satisfied with) then get him married; for if you do not, Fitnah [trials and strife] and evil will prevail.’ (Haakim)
Islam encourages guardians to make matters that relate to marriage uncomplicated. The Messenger of Allah () said:
‘A sign of woman’s Barakah [i.e. goodness] is ease in her engagement, dowry and labor [i.e. child birth]. (Haakim)
Islam commands Muslims to get married and not fear poverty. Allah () says:
And marry those among you who are single [i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband] and [also marry] the Salihun [pious, fit and capable ones] of your [male] slaves and maid-servants. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing [about the state of the people]. (24:32)
The Prophet () said:
‘Allah will surely help three people; the Mujaahid [Muslim fighter] in the path of Allah, the one who marries in order to safeguard himself and to seek chastity, and the slave who seeks to buy his freedom.’ (Haakim)
Islam orders those who cannot afford to marry because of financial reasons, to keep chaste.
Allah () says:
And those who find no means of marriage should keep themselves chaste, until Allah grants them means out of His bounty. (24:33)
In Islam, youth are ordered to get married as soon as possible. The Prophet () has informed us what one must do to curb his desires if he cannot find the means to get married. He () said:
‘O youth, whoever of you can afford marriage [financially and physically] let him get married; for indeed it lowers the gaze, and keeps one chaste; whoever cannot get married, he should fast, for it safeguards him.’ (Bukhari)
The Qur’an has given an exemplary paradigm to Muslim youth on how to deal with sexual desire, and how to suppress it in the story of Yousef (). Allah () says:
And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him [to do an evil act], and she closed the doors and said: ‘Come on, O you.’ He said: ‘I seek refuge in Allah! Truly, he [your husband] is my master! He made my living in a great comfort! [So I will never betray him]. Verily, the wrongdoers will never be successful. And indeed she did desire him, and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Rubb. Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen slaves.
(12:23-4)
Even if one is imprisoned and harmed, he should not give in to illegal relations. Allah () says:
She said: ‘This is he [the young man] about whom you did blame me, and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. And now if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and will be one of those who are disgraced. He said: ‘O My Rubb! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorant. (12:32-33)
Islam prohibits releasing sexual desire by any means other than that which is lawful. If one fears that he would fornicate, then in that case only, he may masturbate to relieve his sexual tension, which is the lesser of the two evils.
Siraat-e-Mustaqeem 