On the internet it says about Ibn ul Qayyim that he wrote the following: “then it is permissible for him to masturbate, and Ahmad (ibn Hanbal) is explicit on this. Furthermore, it is narrated that the Companions of the Prophet (s) used to masturbate while they were on military expeditions or travelling.”

Is it true that the companions masturbated? I have never heard of this. Please verify the above statement for, and also what is Ibn Ul Qayyims and Imam Ahmed true opinion on this issue? Online it says they said it is permissible on this website.

And why was temporary marriage allowed then forbidden? I don’t understand, because the desire for the human beings didn’t change.

All praise be to Allah and may His blessings and peace be on His messenger, Muhammad,

Masturbation is detestable, unless one is about to fall in zina. This is not a peculiar position of Imam Ahmad. In fact, the Hanafis maintained its prohibition, with the exception of that case. The popular position within the Hanbali madhhab is similar to that of the Hanafis. Imam Ibn Hazm permitted it, though he stressed that it is unbefitting for a man with complete integrity of character. The reports point out to the companions permitting it during expeditions, but don’t tell of any companion actually doing that. No one of the scholars condones masturbation or invites to it unless it is a means to prevent someone from falling into the crime of fornication or release someone’s overwhelming lustful desire, then it is permitted.

As for the prohibition of temporary marriage after it was allowable, this is the just like the prohibition of khamr after it was allowable and other prohibitions. The rulings of Islam were gradually revealed to gently guide a society that had no bounds or limitation to be the most law-abiding society in human history.

Allah knows best.