Is it permissible to use sexual products?

- Is it permissible to achieve sexual satisfaction with inflatable mannequins, dildos, vibrators, etc.?

Dear Brother / Sister,

In the Holy Quran, marriage is encouraged, believers are commanded to protect their chastity, and those who seek sexual satisfaction outside their spouses are described as transgressors. Transgression means going beyond the limits set by Allah. Therefore, the Quran forbids and prohibits illegitimate relationships such as fornication and sodomy.

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“O young people! Those of you who are of marriageable age and are able to marry should marry, and those of you who are not able to marry should fast because fasting curbs lust.” (Bukhari, Nikah 2)

In the light of the relevant verses and hadiths, Islamic scholars agree that illegitimate relationships such as fornication and sodomy are haram under any circumstances. They do not tolerate and do not allow sexual satisfaction with one’s hand (masturbation) or any unnatural behavior that provides sexual satisfaction such as looking, thinking and rubbing.

They have concluded the decree that such behavior is not permissible from the general principles of Islam regarding sexual life and the indirect statements of the Quranic verses and hadiths regarding the issue. However, some Islamic scholars have considered it a lesser evil than fornication for bachelors who are unable to overcome their lust and might commit fornication, and for married people who do not have the opportunity to have sexual intercourse with their spouses, to achieve sexual satisfaction through masturbation or by looking or thinking, and they have considered it almost as ugly and sinful as fornication to make it a habitual behavior.

Especially in societies where sexual provocation and obscenity are an important commercial sector and the natural sexual tendencies of young people are ruthlessly exploited and abnormal and illegitimate ways of satisfaction are spreading, it is undeniable that it is difficult for young people to control their sensual feelings.

At first glance, in such societies, it may be thought that reaching sexual satisfaction with inflatable mannequins, sexual products such as dildos and vibrators, pictures and movies is a mild evil compared to fornication, just as reaching sexual satisfaction through unnatural means such as masturbation, gazing and friction is considered a lesser evil compared to fornication.

However, it is clear that reaching sexual satisfaction through all kinds of unnatural and illegitimate means will cause physical and mental disorders on the individual and will lead the individual away from normal married life over time. Nevertheless, achieving sexual satisfaction through inflatable mannequins, sexual products such as dildos and vibrators, pictures and movies is worse in terms of its consequences than achieving sexual satisfaction through thinking, looking and friction. The institutional / sectoral aspect of it cannot be ignored, which is beyond a situation limited to the individual.

This is because, while achieving sexual satisfaction with these products on the one hand, the individual contributes to the destruction of the sacred institution of the family and the development of the human generation on the other hand, indirectly helping the development and spread of a commercial sector that ruthlessly exploits the sexual tendencies of young people, disrupts their mental and physical health, distances them from social life and negatively affects family life. The following is stated in a verse:

“Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor.” (al-Maida, 5/2)

Accordingly, the use, sale and distribution of the products of this sector means being a partner in the haram and sin committed by that sector. (Prof. Dr. Raşit Küçük)

Just as man cannot get enough of wealth, he cannot get enough of lust; if one thing or form is allowed to increase pleasure, he wants another. Islam has defined the place of sexual intercourse between husband and wife (the vagina is the legitimate place; anal intercourse is forbidden, but any other part of the body may be touched) and has not restricted the forms of intercourse. The believer must try to be content with normal intercourse.

If there is a failure in initiation or pleasure, stimulants, delayers, etc. may be used between husband and wife. An artificial tool may not be used instead of a penis or vagina.

If a person fears that if he does not masturbate, he will commit fornication, masturbation is permissible, and according to some fiqh scholars, fard. (Prof. Dr. Hayrettin Karaman)

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