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Do any religious scriptures explicitly prohibit masturbation?

Wasp

Active Member
In Islam as a general opinion it is haram, prohibited. The following verses are often cited as evidence for it:

23:5 "And they who guard their private parts"

23:6 "Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed -"

23:7 "But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors -"

But many Muslim scholars say that these verses don't explicitly prohibit masturbation, nor do any other verses in the Qur'an - or even the ahadith. Which is why some scholars consider masturbation to be makrooh, disliked, rather than haram, prohibited.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
There is no scripture explicitly prohibiting it, but most religions aren't just about scripture but scripture and tradition; going beyond the letter of the law.
 

Left Coast

This Is Water
Staff member
Premium Member
In Islam as a general opinion it is haram, prohibited. The following verses are often cited as evidence for it:

23:5 "And they who guard their private parts"

23:6 "Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed -"

23:7 "But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors -"

But many Muslim scholars say that these verses don't explicitly prohibit masturbation, nor do any other verses in the Qur'an - or even the ahadith. Which is why some scholars consider masturbation to be makrooh, disliked, rather than haram, prohibited.

The only Biblical passage that comes close is the story of Onan from Genesis 38:

"Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her; raise up offspring for your brother.” But since Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, he spilled his semen on the ground whenever he went in to his brother’s wife, so that he would not give offspring to his brother. What he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also."

Some interpreters would say that masturbation wasn't the issue here but Onan's refusal to consummate his obligatory marriage to his dead brother's wife. :shrug:
 

robocop (actually)

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
In Islam as a general opinion it is haram, prohibited. The following verses are often cited as evidence for it:

23:5 "And they who guard their private parts"

23:6 "Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed -"

23:7 "But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors -"

But many Muslim scholars say that these verses don't explicitly prohibit masturbation, nor do any other verses in the Qur'an - or even the ahadith. Which is why some scholars consider masturbation to be makrooh, disliked, rather than haram, prohibited.
Lasciviousness is forbidden.
 

Wasp

Active Member
There is no scripture explicitly prohibiting it, but most religions aren't just about scripture but scripture and tradition; going beyond the letter of the law.
And yet the religious frequently justify their demands on others (such as refraining from masturbation for 100 years) with a scripture that says nothing of the kind they claim. That's why I ask.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
In Islam as a general opinion it is haram, prohibited. The following verses are often cited as evidence for it:

23:5 "And they who guard their private parts"

23:6 "Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed -"

23:7 "But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors -"

But many Muslim scholars say that these verses don't explicitly prohibit masturbation, nor do any other verses in the Qur'an - or even the ahadith. Which is why some scholars consider masturbation to be makrooh, disliked, rather than haram, prohibited.

I believe there isn't any in the Bible and the quoted verses are definitely about women.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
The only Biblical passage that comes close is the story of Onan from Genesis 38:

"Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her; raise up offspring for your brother.” But since Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, he spilled his semen on the ground whenever he went in to his brother’s wife, so that he would not give offspring to his brother. What he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also."

Some interpreters would say that masturbation wasn't the issue here but Onan's refusal to consummate his obligatory marriage to his dead brother's wife. :shrug:

I believe that would be correct exegesis.
 
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