Question
Reference number: 885123 | Prayers | April 3, 2019
Is it allowed to perform ablution only without taking the purifying bath after masturbation and then pray?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Certainly, physicians decided that masturbation has many negative effects psychologically and physically. Many men suffer from impotence as a result of masturbation. Many men could not have the right sexual intercourse, and thus, they were forced to divorce their wives.
The prophet guided Muslims who cannot get married to fast. He said: “Oh young men, whoever can afford it, let him get married, for it keeps you from looking at strange women and preserves you from immorality, but those who cannot should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire. Agreed upon
Shaikh Mustafa Al-Zarqa said: “Whatever is considered physically harmful is considered haram. This is agreed upon by all scholars.”
The majority of scholars see that masturbation is haram. Other scholars, however, see that it could be allowed in few exceptional cases. If one fears that they will commit adultery, they are allowed to masturbate to avoid committing a major sin, provided that, the intention must not be getting lust, but it must be protecting themselves from committing adultery.
Regarding your question, a Muslim cannot perform ablution only and perform a prayer after masturbation. A purifying bath is required after releasing seminal fluid. Performing a prayer without getting a purifying bath is not considered. A Muslim must make up that prayer.