Even Dr Akhtar was worried sick about contracting horrible diseases by masturbating, until he found out they were all fairy tales.
‘Ten drops of milk is equal to one drop of clarified butter. Ten drops of clarified butter is equal to one drop of blood. Ten drops of blood is equal to one drop of semen.’
It’s a myth that many believe in Pakistan, Dr Akhtar told Love Matters. The Pakistani psychiatrist is the author of the book Sex Education for Muslims – a novelty in his country.
“So every time they have a discharge of semen or nocturnal ejaculation they shudder about the amount of blood that has gone away from their body.”
But it's a fairy tale – just like this one:
‘A few drops of semen discharging from the penis is a special disease called jaryan, running of fluid. The drops are said to come out from the bones and take away your body and bone strength. It is believed to be a disease worse than just ejaculating.’
“I tell you I was worried about it for a very long time. Your mind is upset. You’re depressed,” says Dr Akhtar. Only in medical school did he learn that they were nothing more than stories.
Sexual prowess
Dr Akhbar has a positive take on masturbation. “It is good for your physical and sexual health. As a matter of fact there is a study that says that those people who masturbate have more sexual prowess than the ones who don’t.”
But 99 per cent of the youngsters that Dr Akhtar talks to aren’t aware of this. Sex education is virtually non-existent in Pakistan. So youngsters are terrified that masturbation causes sexual or physical weakness and that it’s sinful, he says.
Scholars
Dr Akhtar knows of few women who admit to masturbating.
“I remember one girl who wrote to me that she masturbates. She was going to get married and was afraid her husband would find out. But how can he? The most that can happen is that the hymen is perforated or removed but even that doesn’t matter in Pakistan.”
Shia Islam, the second largest Islamic school of thought, believes masturbation is sinful, says Akthar. But for Sunni Muslims, the largest Islamic sect in the world, it’s OK. One of the four scholars they’re supposed to follow, Ahmad ibn Hambal, allows it, says Akhtar.
Liars
There is no age minimum or limit for masturbation, says Akhtar. “A lot of people masturbate, even after marriage.”
And for youngsters who still feel anxious about masturbation Akhtar has some percentages based on the couples that ask for sexual advice. “Ninety-five percent of the people say they masturbate. And the five percent who say they don’t are liars."
Photo: Cover of 'Sex Education for Muslims' by Dr Syed Mubin Akhtar / Pakinfo
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