May the peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be upon you.

I am a young man, twenty-five years old. I used to be addicted to drugs and pornographic movies and I used to go out with girls (al-hamdulillah, I didn't actually commit zina), but Allah blessed me and I left all of that. I also used to be really addicted to masturbation, but I left that too, and not just for a little while, maybe even a whole year. However, I have started doing it again, then I feel bad and I stop, then I get weak and do it again, then I feel bad and stop, etc. Now I feel like a hypocrite. Every time I promise before Allah that I will quit and never go back to doing it, I swear and take oaths, but I just can't do it…the thoughts swirl in my head every time I quit for any longer than two weeks…the whisperings (evil suggestions) even come to me during the prayer: You can't get married…some of the scholars say it is okay…you're living in times of temptation…take the easier opinion and just do it…give yourself some relief…you don't do it every day…etc. I am afraid that a day will come when I will stop my worship because of this feeling of hypocrisy with Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. Please advise me and I'd like you to pray for me.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions and true followers.

To proceed:

The majority of scholars hold the opinion that masturbation is prohibited due to the saying of Allah Most High,

{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 them, they are free of blame * But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.}

[Al-Mu'minun 23: 5-7]

Then there are those scholars who have granted exemption at moments when there is fear of falling into the sin of zina (illegal sexual intercourse), meaning, in order to deflect such uncontrollable sexual tension that it is feared would drive him to destruction, and not just to bring on this desire.

We advise you to get married right away, as soon as you get the chance. We also advise you to maintain your chastity during this transitional phase and to seek assistance through patience, salah (formal prayer), fasting, du`a (supplication) and keeping good company. We ask Allah to grant you success.