Does masturbation break the fast?
Question · One of the most asked questions about Ramadan
I'm a young guy and I really struggle with this habit. If it happens during the day in Ramadan, is my fast broken, and what am I supposed to do afterwards?
Short answer
Yes, deliberate masturbation that leads to ejaculation breaks the fast according to most scholars. The day must be made up, with sincere repentance, but there is no kaffarah.
Detailed answer
Yes. According to most scholars, deliberate masturbation that leads to ejaculation breaks the fast. The person must make up that day after Ramadan and sincerely repent. There is no kaffarah (the 60-day expiation), as that is only for intercourse.
What the Quran and Sunnah say
In a hadith qudsi, Allah says about the fasting person: "He leaves his food, his drink and his desire for My sake. Fasting is for Me and I will reward it" (Bukhari). Fasting means holding back from desire as well as from food and drink, so deliberately seeking sexual release during the day goes against the very meaning of the fast.
Most scholars also consider masturbation sinful in general, and doing it during a Ramadan day adds to the seriousness.
What to do if it happened
- Repent sincerely: feel regret, ask Allah's forgiveness and resolve not to return to it.
- Keep refraining from food and drink until sunset out of respect for Ramadan.
- Take a ghusl before your next prayer.
- Make up the day after Ramadan; see how to make up missed fasts.
What does not break the fast
- A wet dream does not break the fast, because it is not by choice; see does a wet dream break the fast?
- Thoughts that come to your mind without acting on them do not break the fast; see do lustful thoughts break the fast?
Tips for breaking the habit
- Use the fast as a shield. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised young people who could not yet marry to fast, "for it is a shield for him" (Bukhari, Muslim).
- Avoid triggers: lower your gaze, limit time alone with your phone and use content filters.
- Stay busy with work, sport after iftar, friends and the mosque.
- Fill your time with worship: Quran, dhikr and Taraweeh strengthen self-control.
- Do not despair. Allah loves those who keep turning back to Him. Every attempt to resist is rewarded.
Struggling with this does not make you a bad Muslim. Keep trying, keep repenting and ask Allah for help.
These answers give the general ruling based on the Quran, the Sunnah and the mainstream view of scholars. For a personal situation, ask a qualified scholar you trust.
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