Islamic Rulings - Living Shariah Verdicts

Islamic Questions & Answers

I work in Saudi Arabia. Praise be to Allaah, I adhere to the Sunnah as much as possible and I offer prayers regularly in the mosque, praise be to Allaah. This is the first time that I have left my family behind, because of the children's schooling. When I talk to my wife over the Internet (audio and visual), I sometimes ask her to show me part of her body, and this causes intense sexual provocation which I cannot resist, so I masturbate with my hand to ward off this desire. Does this come under the heading of the verse "Except from their wives" [al-Mu'minoon 23:6] or of enjoying one's wife? Please note that I am aware that masturbation is haraam, but this is my wife whom I am looking at. What should I do? Please advise me, may Allaah reward you with good.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible for a man to find pleasure in speaking to his wife and looking at her or at her picture in a chat program, so long as he takes precautions so that no one else can see or spy on him.

With regard to masturbation with the hand, the general principle is that it is haraam, except in the case of one who fears that he may fall into zina, in which case it is permitted.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it permissible for a married couple to talk about sex on the telephone and provoke one another until one or both of them reaches climax, without using the hand because it is haraam? This happens because my husband is always travelling and we only see one another every four months.

He replied: There is nothing wrong with it; rather it is permissible.

Question: What if it involves using the hand?

Shaykh: Using the hand is subject to further discussion; it is only permissible if the person fears that he may fall into zina.

Questioner: And without using the hand there is nothing wrong with it?

Shaykh: Yes, without using the hand there is nothing wrong with it; he may imagine himself being intimate with her and there is nothing wrong with that. End quote.

See also the answer to questions number 4807 and 329.

And Allaah knows best.