Masturbation
Masturbation is clearly not a proper use of the sex instinct, as this is understood in the Faith. Moreover it involves . . . mental fantasies, while Bahá’u’lláh, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, has exhorted us not to indulge our passions and in one of His well-known Tablets ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encourages us to keep our “secret thoughts pure”.
- Universal House of Justice, 1981, Lights of Guidance, p. 364
Let your eye be chaste, your hand faithful, your tongue truthful and your heart enlightened.
- Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 138
As to whether, for Bahá’ís, masturbation is permissible within the context of marriage or by married persons, nothing has been found in the Bahá’í Writings on the matter of permissible sexual practices within marriage, and the House of Justice does not wish at this point to provide any detailed advice on the subject.
- Universal House of Justice to an individual, 17 April 2017
God forgiveth you your nocturnal emissions and masturbation. But know ye the value of your seed, for your seed is the cause of the creation of one who worshippeth God. Keep your seed in the exquisite place. The purpose of this command is that perhaps the fruit of your existence will come to the aid of the religion of God. When semen cometh out by your own free will, make the ablutions, prostrate yourself and say this verse nineteentimes: 'Thou art the Most Pure and Sublime, O my God! Thou art free from error and lack. There is none other God save Thee! I proclaim Thy sublimity, and I am of those who know that Thou art the Pure.'"
- Báb, Arabic Bayan, Vahid 8, Báb 10; provisional translation
Quote of the Day
Jamal 5 Ilm 182 B.E.
O Children of Fancy! Know verily, that while the radiant dawn breaketh above the horizon of eternal holiness, the satanic secrets and deeds done in the gloom of night shall be laid bare and manifest before the peoples of the world.
Bahá’u’lláh – Hidden Words, Persian 67