is masturbation haram?

Hi,

I am a Muslim married woman. I masturbated while away from my husband. I wasn't sure that was a mistake. I did a research and found out that some say its haram. I hated myself for what I did. I will never do it again.
My question is if a married woman has masturbated, does that make her marriage invalid. am I still considered a wife to my husband or not? can I continue on living with my husband as his wife?

am so bewildered and lost!!!

Thank you,

It might interest you that EU Nations include masturbation in their sex education and promote the practice.

There are several health benefits. Sexual climax, from masturbation or otherwise, leaves one in a relaxed and contented state. This is frequently followed closely by drowsiness and sleep � particularly when one masturbates in bed. Some professionals consider masturbation to function as a cardiovascular workout.

It is my limited understanding of Islam that only obsessive, compulsive and excessive masturbation is considered haram.

Otherwise it's really harmless.

Whatever you decide it's nobody's business except yours. No religion has a right to impose any rules about such private matters when no harm is done.

Living in the west and worrying about such matters is just plain silly!
People do lot egregious things before getting on guilt trip! IMO this is a lot safer than getting carried away in the heat of desire and do adulterous stuff which is not so difficult while living in the UK! This hillaling in UK is getting to be appalling!
There is nothing in Quran about the subject but if one gets really picayune I think it would un-Islamic to live in the west where at every turn one is confronted with some sexual or skin display in one way or the other!
It is her stuff and she doesn't need to tell anyone as abuayesha said it is private business! And don't get it why did she have to come here with this quandary!
Even if it is my daughter I would NOT recommend her going to an Imam etc for this kind of stuff...I have seen the disaster that came to a community nearby for the women running to imam trivialities and then....
If God didn't want, HE could make the part insensitive and joyless, then guess what it would have been a chore for men to get to the first base, much less a home run...Last but not the least don't forget "the period" when even God doesn't want her to talk to Him and told the husband to stay out cuz never know what she can utter or be doing; So let's not be prudes


Edited by Sign*Reader - 16 June 2011 at 2:50pm