Details of Fatwa

Title of Fatwa

A Divorced Woman Using a Vibrator (Artificial Penis) 

Date of Fatwa

28/ May/ 2001 

Date of Reply

28/ May/ 2001 

Topic Of Fatwa

Sexual Relations 

Question of Fatwa

As-Salamu `alaykum. I have received many questions from Muslim women about using an artificial penis (vibrator). I really need a detailed answer about these important questions, and please provide evidence on the topic because people request so. The questions are: 1) Does Islam allow a divorced Muslim woman to use a vibrator in order to satisfy her sexual desire instead of committing sex with another man? 2) Is it allowed in Islam for a married woman to use a vibrator as a sexual aid with the permission of her husband? May Allah grant you great reward for your efforts and I thank you for help.  

Name of Mufti

Islam Online Fatwa Committee 

Content of Reply

Wa`alaykum As-Salaamu Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Thank you very much for being interested in visiting our site and showing confidence in us. Sheikh `Abdel-Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef gives the following answer: Highlighting the attributes of true believers, Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an: "Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors, (Al-Mu'minoon: 5-7) In this verse, Allah, Exalted be He, outlines the way sexual desires are satisfied, and regards any other form of satisfying sexual desire (such as masturbation) as transgression or violation of Allah's Bounds. This applies to both men and women, although women are supposed to be more bashful and modest than men. The majority of scholars consider masturbation Haram. Imam Malik bases his judgement on the forgoing verse arguing that someone who masturbates is one of those who "crave something beyond that." On the other hand, it is reported that Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal regards semen as an excretion of the body like other excreta, and permits its expulsion the same way bloodletting is permitted. Ibn Hazm holds the same view. However, the Hanbali jurists permit masturbation only under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery, and second, not having the means to marry. Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi comments: We are inclined to accept the opinion of Imam Ahmad in a situation in which there is sexual excitation and danger of committing the Haram. For example, a young man has gone abroad to study or work, thereby encountering many temptations which he fears he will be unable to resist, may resort to this method of relieving sexual tension provided he does not do it excessively or make it a habit. Yet, better than this is the Prophet's advice to the Muslim youth who is unable to marry; namely, that he seeks help through frequent fasting, for fasting nurtures will-power, teaches control of desires, and strengthens the fear of Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, "O youth, whoever of you is able to marry, let him marry, for it spares one looking at what one should not, or lapsing in adultery. And if he cannot marry, let him observe fasting, for it is a shield against evil." (Reported by Muslim.) (Quoted from The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam.) Thus, a divorced Muslim woman is allowed to use a vibrator to satisfy her sexual desire if it is the last resort – instead of committing fornication. But a married woman (if there is no dire necessity to warrant it) is not allowed to do so, since she will be regarded as one who "craves something beyond that," which is condemned by the aforementioned verse. Allah Almighty knows best.