A Turkish Muslim cleric has raked up controversy after, in a televised show, he said that the men who masturbate will be cursed and their dominant hand will swell up like a pregnant woman's belly on Judgement Day.
His statement has been criticised widely among Turkish social media circles, reported Hurriyet Daily News.
Muslim televangelist Mucahid Cihad Han, while replying to a question raised by a viewer during his show televised on 24 May, stated that masturbation was haram (forbidden) for Muslims.
The man who raised the question said despite being married, he often masturbated and had done so even during his sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.
To this, the cleric said: "One hadith [instructions by Prophet Muhammad] states that those who have sexual intercourse with their hands will find their hands pregnant in the afterlife, complaining against them to God over its rights."
"If our viewer was single, I could recommend he marry, but what can I say now?"
He then added that as a Muslim one must "resist Satan's temptations".
Cleric Mucahid Cihad Han, who has over 12,000 followers on Twitter, has widely been mocked by many after the incident. One follower posted on Twitter: "Are there any hand-gynaecologists in the afterlife? Is abortion allowed there?"
Another social media user questioned: "So you think that being pregnant is a God-given punishment?"
Is Mastubration Forbidden in Islam?
Masturbation is called Istimna in Arabic and it is generally considered a sin. However, there are varying opinions on its permissibility. According to the Twelver school of the Shi'a denomination of Islam, it is forbidden.
However, there are certain schools of thought in Islam that make it halal (permissible) only under two conditions: first, the fear of committing fornication or adultery; and second, not having the means to marry.
Twitter Reactions
Bhensa @bhensaa
Gotta "hand" it to this sheikh for nailing this one. Allahu Akbar!
Venkatesh Iyer @venkyiyer58
Just to be safe, I suggest you use somebody else's hand.
AshwinSarcasticFerns @ashshanuferns
According to Turkish Televangelist Mücahid Cihad Han, Men gonna get Pregnant hands in #Afterlife
We all know what #Popeye has been upto!
Σριηαρσηα @SriharshaTweets
They who've sexual intercourse with their hands will find their hands #pregnant in the afterlife: Mücahid Cihad Han, televangelist. #Muslims
Tariq Khonji @tkhonji
Tariq Khonji retweeted Häyät Al-Ma'arri⚛
what if use condom while masturbate ? then ok?
