Narrations about Masturbating in Battles

3-3-2020 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have a question regarding a narration found in Ibn Hazm's Al-Muhalla.
Qataadah said: “al-Hasan said about the man who masturbates until he comes, he said: ‘They used to do that in the battles’”.
From where did he retrieve this narration and is it authentic?
JazakAllah

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

This narration was cited with its chain of narrators by Ibn Hazm in his book Al-Muhalla from Ibn ‘Umar, that he said: "Verily, it is a nerve that you rub."

It was also narrated on the authority of Qataadah from Al-‘Alaa’ ibn Ziyaad from his father that he said: "They used to do that, i.e. masturbate, in battles. A man would fondle his penis, rubbing it until he ejaculates."

Qataadah said: "Al-Hasan said (when he was asked) about the man who masturbates until he ejaculates: ‘They used to do that in battles.'" [End of Quote]

The chain of narration of this report was classified as authentic by Mash-hoor Hasan Salmaan in his authenticating revision of Ash-Shawkaani’s book Buloogh Al-Muna Fi Hukm Al-Istimna. After citing these traditions in Al-Muhalla, Ibn Hazm cited other (related) reports, including the following:

‘Abdul Razzaaq said: “Ma‘mar narrated on the authority of Ayyoob As-Sakhtiyaani, or another narrator, on the authority of Mujaahid from Al-Hasan that he did not see anything wrong with masturbation.” Then, he said: “The absolute permissibility – i.e. of masturbation –is authentically reported on the authority of Al-Hasan.”

Anyway, the preponderant view in this regard is that of the majority of scholars, namely, the prohibition of masturbation. The report narrated on the authority of Al-Hasan and others of the righteous predecessors on permitting masturbation is likely restricted only to the case of necessity and fear of committing fornication or adultery.

For more benefit on the prohibition of masturbation, please refer to Fataawa 179859 and 376036.

Allah Knows best.