Q: There is a question that has perplexed me for the past five years. I am a thirty six year old man. Allah has tried me with a strong sexual capacity that I can not control. I have observed Sawm (Fast) as we were ordered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this case to do so. This is because Sawm diminishes one's sexual power. But I swear by Allah that my sexual desire increases after observing Sawm. I went to many physicians who gave me some tranquilizers. Unfortunately, they were all in vain. I was tried with such a trial and at the same time can not marry because my salary is very low as I work as a public servant in King Khalid hospital in Tabuk. I would like to undergo a castration operation in order to get rid of my sexual desire in order to protect my honor and religion. I would like to know if it is permissible for me to do so or not. I asked some scholars and they told me that it was unlawful for me to do this. I can not bear such a trial. Therefore, I would like your Eminence to answer my question in a written form because I do not listen to answers that are broadcasted on the radio. May Allah protect you and grant you success in serving His religion.

A: It is not permissible for you to undergo such an operation because the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade `Uthman ibn Mazh`un to castrate himself. Moreover, you have to fear Allah and to stay away from all sources of temptation and seduction. You also have to continue being mindful of Allah and to be chaste. You have to follow Allah's Saying: And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allâh enriches them of His Bounty. (Part No. 18; Page No. 35) You also have to supplicate to Allah a lot and pay great attention to supplicating to Allah at times when Allah answers Du`a' (supplication) in order that Allah might marry you to a righteous woman. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). , And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islâmic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!" And Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say: "O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency." It was also authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (Part No. 18; Page No. 36)  "Your supplication is answered unless you go impatient saying: 'I supplicated but was left deprived.'" It was reported in the book of Sunan compiled by Al-Tirmidhy and in other books that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whenever a Muslim supplicates to Allah, He accepts his supplication or averts any similar kind of trouble from him until he prays for something sinful or something that may break the ties of kinship.'' Upon this someone of the Companions said: "Then we shall supplicate plenty.'' Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Allah is more plentiful (in responding)." Al-Tirmidhy said that this is a good authentic Hadith. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.