Q 1: What is the Shari`ah (Islamic law) ruling on masturbation? What is the ruling on one who masturbates on a day during Ramadan? What is the ruling on one who swears an oath thrice saying: "By Allah, by Allah, by Allah, I will not do this (masturbation) again and then he does it again?

A1: This is not permissible and whoever masturbates during Ramadan commits a severer sin than doing so at any other time. One must offer Tawbah (repentance to Allah), Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) and make up for the day when the fast was broken if Mani (sperm/vaginal secretions that are released on orgasm) was secreted. As for breaking the oath not to repeat it, one must offer one Kaffarah (expiation) for the oath even (Part No. 23; Page No. 72) if the action is repeated several times, as it is an oath for one thing. Kaffarah entails emancipating a believing bondsman, or feeding ten needy persons, or clothing them. If one cannot do any of these things, they must fast for three days. The amount of food that should be served is five Sa`s (1 Sa` = 2.172 kg) of wheat, rice or a similar staple food of the country; each needy person receives half a Sa`. As for the clothing, it is one garment for each needy person on whom Salah (Prayer) is obligatory. Q 3: A woman swore an oath that her son-in-law would not enter her house, but he did. After sometime they reconciled. What is the Shari`ah ruling on this act, bearing in mind that she did so in a fit of rage? What is the ruling if she did so while not being in an angered state? A3: If she swore the oath in a fit of rage that she did not realize what she said, there is no sin on her. However, she must offer Kaffarah if she broke her oath as mentioned in the question. Kaffarah is obligatory on her as described in the answer of the first question.May Allah grant us success. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions!