An interesting discussion.

My personal take on the issue- and don't ask me to back it up with proofs  or any documentation, for I have none.

To put it in perspective, consider how the Jews regard masturbation: it is a sin because the act of sex is a) a gift from God, and b) meant for procreation. In their view, 'spilling one's seed on the ground' i.e., masturbation, does not fall under either of these categories, and is frowned upon as it is a waste of semen with regard to procreation.

Now, on the other hand, we already know under our laws masturbation is permitted- even recommended- under certain conditions, but is always subject to the ideal of self-control. If you are unmarried and have no outlet (or married and your wife- or husband, for that matter- is unwilling or incapable of performing) and you just can't stand it to the point of distraction, go ahead and get it out of your system and drive on. Just don't make it regular or habitual and thank Allah(swt) for the gift of release and ask for guidance in the future. The last thing you want during prayers is to have misdirected thoughts breaking your concentration, so the sooner you take care of the problem, the less chance you have of messing up during prayers or in other daily activities.

This ties into the role of the partner as well- each partner must understand the others' needs and be ready to satisfy those when asked. If your wife asks you for sex, by all means take care of her- the same applies to wives. If your husband comes to you, take care of him as well. Even if you're not particularly 'in the mood', your partner certainly is and it's a loving thing to take care of their needs like that. In the most happy circumstances, both will want it and both will be satisfied and all will be well.

Note, too, that this conditional allowance for masturbation is not meant to include looking at pornography on the internet or movies or magazines or whatnot- those are covered quite clearly under other rules of behavior. If you're that much in need, you shouldn't need those things to take care of yourself in short order- by creating the need or desire to look at pornography in order to masturbate, you have only proved you are not in that much need to begin with.

Gibbs, i suppose it could hurt your body if you were driving at the same time or using some kind of power tool