Vows not to eat or drink until he gives up masturbation

11-8-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am studying in USA, and I made a vow that if I ever masturbate again, I will abstain from eating and drinking for three days and nights. I consulted some scholars here regarding my case; some advised me to offer expiation if I am unable to fulfill my vow. What is your opinion in this regard?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Such a vow is not considered valid and binding, and it is impermissible for you to deliver on it. This is because you vowed to do something that is impermissible according to the Sharee'ah, i.e. abstinence from eating and drinking. This constitutes self-torture, which displeases Allaah, the Exalted. Moreover, even if the person means to seek closeness to Allaah Almighty by  observing wisal in fasting (i.e. fasting continuously), such a fast is disliked in Islam. When a person takes a vow to do a disliked act, it is not incumbent on him to fulfill it. Moreover, we would like to highlight that masturbating is forbidden and that you should give it up whether or not you made a vow to do so.

Allaah Knows best.

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