Minor illicit sexual activity

It is loudly proclaimed in the Grand Qur’ān:

Sexuality is one of the subjects that are most relevant to humanity. And one topic on sexuality which most people are uncomfortable to talk about is masturbation. It is the reason that there is proliferation of slang phrases to talk about it. There are depictions of male and female masturbation in prehistoric rock paintings around the world.

Keeping in view the extent of the claim in the aforementioned sentence of Ayah 6:38, it would be hard to think the neglect of mentioning this topic as self-gratification is known since thousands of years in human history. However, it is a subject that is talked about through Euphemisms.

Recently, sonographic observations of male fetus started a debate that showed movements of hand touching/stroking genitals resembling common practice of stroking for sexual pleasure usually to orgasm.

In Arabic sexual activities, explicit or implicit, are mentioned by words stemming from Root: ف ح ش. that relates to Semantic domain: Immoderate behaviour.

The basic perception is that of indulging in excessive, immoderate, or beyond measure with reference to generally or universally accepted norms, limits and measures of behaviour. The perception and meanings of the Root have built in subjective and relational element. Moreover, because the excessive, immoderate and extremist tendencies are universally looked upon with dislike, abomination, repulsiveness, and unacceptability, therefore, it has inherent negative element.

For reason of built-in subjective and relational element, it is the context and related field which will determine and expose its meanings with reference to that context; and in definite state will generally express the irrational, unnatural, obscene, pervert and excessively emotional sexual conduct.

This Root is mostly used in Grand Qur’ān in relation to immoderate, abnormal and lustful unnatural sexual pursuits and behaviour; explicitly included in it is homosexuality: Lesbianism (4:15); Sodomy (4:16; 7:80; 27:59; 29:28), uz'zina: intercourse of genitalia [furr'ej] with mutual consent by a man and woman outside the fold of legal marriage; and marrying women with whom fathers were earlier married (4:22).

The primary objective of doing: acts of illicit sex is feeling of pleasure and satisfaction, not necessarily culminating in sexual climax, ejaculation or orgasm. Thereby, sexual excitement can be experienced as a pleasurable wave of tingling sensations through parts of the body that might not get exhibited to other party. Thereby, all sorts of actions aimed at sexual excitement are prohibited including the displayed and secretively intended:
 

Firstly a prohibitive command is given: "you people should not approach illicit sexual attractions;" The verb is in Jussive Mood due to Prohibitive Particle. Verb signifies moving closer to something with affection. The object of verb is feminine plural that includes all sorts of illicit activities aiming at sexual pleasure and satisfaction.

The following sentences conjunct by particle is apposition of comprehensive equivalence to the preceding entity: . The verbal sentences are the Linkage clause for the Relative Pronoun and the prepositional phrase relates to the elided circumstantial clause for the subject of the verb.

However, in the aforementioned prohibiting sentences there is no mention of act of sexual pleasure and satisfaction self done by alone individual in solitude for which word "Masturbation (noun of action)" is coined, and in Arabic it is picturesquely portrayed by: استمناء‎ a Form-X verbal noun stemming from Root:  م ن ى signifying semen. Form-X verbal noun and verbs are Reflexive Causative; Causative to do for the Self. Form-X Verbs signify what is called in Arabic تَكَلُّفٌ which means literally "self-charging" or "self-assigning a task". It also figuratively means "feigning".

It is understood that "self assigning a task" and "feigning intercourse" in solitude is minor offense as compared to displayed and explicit illicit sex involving another party or victim. An exemption from: is mentioned:

The first sentence is a dependent compound sentence with a conjunction particle which explains the characteristic of those who acted moderately and appropriately with magnanimity. The verbal sentence: comprises of Verb: Imperfect; Third person; plural; masculine; [Form-VIII]; Mood: Indicative evident by "نَ"; and [و] Subject Pronoun, nominative state referent to preceding Relative Pronoun;  مصدر-إِجْتِنَابٌ Verbal noun. Form-VIII verb has reflexive causative meanings and indicates a stronger role of the Subject as a performer of the action involving painstaking, meticulous effort. Sins and sexual pleasures are tempters and thus a strong effort is needed to escape temptation.

The object of verb in the first sentence is:  a possessive phrase signifying "the Major sins" which include all sins that are specifically prohibited to be done. The object of verb in the second sentence is: . It means that such people diligently avoid illicit sex in any manner. A barring from such diligent avoidance of illicit sex is mentioned by Restriction/Confining Particle: . Excepted act is: Collective Noun: Definite by article; Masculine; accusative.

It stems from Root:  ل م م.. Ibn Faris [died 1005] stated:

Since: minor offence is excepted from: illicit sex activities it is obviously a euphemism for sexual act which is directly described by noun of action Masturbation. Considering that barring is from an object which is diligently avoided, it has occasional element in so doing and is a lapse - a gap in the continuity of avoidance of illicit sex.

The climax of feel of pleasure and satisfaction in masturbating by males is to achieve orgasm or emit the semen: .