Islamic Perspective on sex
Islam acknowledges the fact that one’s sexual desire has to be satisfied through marriage. One may not satisfy his desire in any other way. Allah praises those who abide by these laws saying: “Certainly will the believers have succeeded, they who are during their prayer humbly submissive, and they who turn away from ill speech, who are observant in paying the Zakah, and who guard their chastity, except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then they are not to be blamed.”(23:1-6)
Allah, the Exalted, encourages Muslims to get married, as this was a Sunnah (practice) of all Prophets and Messengers, may Allah render them safe from every derogatory thing. Allah Allah (y) says: “And we have already sent messengers before you and assigned to them wives and descendants.” (13:38)
The Messenger of Allah Propeta (s) also encouraged Muslims to get married and have offspring. Ma’qal b. Ya’saar said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah (s) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am going to get married to a woman who is of noble descent, status and is rich, but she is barren. Shall I marry her?’ The Messenger of Allah (s) said: ‘Marry the amicable and fertile woman, for I will boast (the large number of) my nation before all nations (on the Day of Resurrection).’” (Abu Dawood)
Islam has ordered Muslims to assist the one who wants to get married immediately. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (s) said: ‘‘If you are approached by a man (whose manners and Deen you are satisfied with) then get married. Indeed, if you do not, fitnah [trials and strife] and evil will prevail.” (Haakim)
Islam encourages guardians to make matters that relate to marriage uncomplicated. The Messenger of Allah (s) said: “A sign of woman’s Barakah (blessing) is the ease in her engagement, dowry and labor (child birth).” (Haakim)
Islam commands Muslims to get married and not fear poverty
Allah (y) says: “Allah will surely help three types of people: the fighter in the path of Allah, the one who marries in order to safeguard himself and to seek chastity, and the slave who seeks to buy his freedom.” (24:32)
The Prophet (s) also said: “A sign of woman’s Barakah (blessing) is the ease in her engagement, dowry and labor (child birth).” (Haakim)
Islam orders those who are unable to marry, because of financial or other reasons, to keep chaste. Allah (y) says: “And those who find no means of marriage should keep themselves chaste, until Allah grants them a means out of His bounty.” (24:33)
In Islam, youth are encouraged to get married as soon as they are capable. The Prophet (s) has informed us what one must do to curb his desires if he cannot find the means to get married. He (s) said: “O youth, whoever of you is capable of marriage [financially and physically] let him get married; for indeed it lowers the gaze, and keeps one chaste. As for whoever cannot get married, he should fast, for it safeguards him.” (Bukhari)
The Qur’an has given an exemplary paradigm to Muslim youth on how to deal with sexual desire, and how to suppress it, in the story of Yousef. Allah (y) says: “And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, ‘Come to me.’ He said, ‘[I seek] the refuge of Allah. Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed.’ And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that we should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of our chosen servants.” (12:23-24)
Even if one is imprisoned and harmed, he should not give in to illegal relations. Allah (y) says: “She said, ‘That is the one about whom you blamed me. And I certainly sought to seduce him, but he firmly refused. And if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be of those debased.’ He said, ‘My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if you do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant.’” (12:32-33)
Islam prohibits releasing sexual desire by any means other than that which is lawful. If one fears that he would fornicate, then in that case only, he may masturbate to relieve his sexual tension, which is the lesser of the two evils.