Has My Conditional Talaq Been Triggered by an Accidental Ejaculation?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

If I masturbate before 7 June at 12:00 AM, my wife will receive a talaq after marriage. I was lying against a pillow, making in-and-out movements to calm my nerves, not intending to masturbate.

I became aroused but stopped, yet after 20–30 seconds, I involuntarily ejaculated, likely from increased sensitivity and friction.

Does this count as masturbation? If talaq is unavoidable, what is the procedure for ruju?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I hope this reaches you in good spirits.

Masturbation (istimna’) involves releasing sperm outside lawful intercourse and includes any genital stimulation for sexual pleasure. As this was not the case, you will not have to worry.

The reason is that you experienced an unintended involuntary emission after movement, and there was no pre-deliberate stimulation of the genitals before.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “All actions are based on their intentions.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Masturbation (istimna’) refers to the act of seeking to release sperm through other than lawful sexual intercourse, and generally, to any type of stimulation of the genitals in a sexually pleasurable way. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Guard Chastity

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) advised us, “O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity, and whoever cannot, then he should fast, for it will be a restraint for him.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Most High but that Allah will replace it with something better.” [Ahmad]

Continue with Patience

If you are not masturbating, thank Allah and continue with patience, restraint, and fasting. If you are, stop immediately and repent.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “You will never abandon anything for Allah’s sake but that Allah will replace it with something better.” [Ahmad]

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

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Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.