In Shari'a, marriage is obligatory on someone when he fears committing zina. But what if someone was indulged in "istimna" in the past, managed to quit it, but still is worried that he might do it again some time, although in very rare occasions. Does this make marriage obligatory on him, even though he does not fear committing actual zina but only another smaller sin? I am not asking if istimna is permissible or not, I believe it is a sin. I am only curious to know if it makes marriage a must for someone. Or is it only a sin and one should strive not to do it, but that does not make marriage an obligation as it is not zina but a smaller sin?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The scholars said that marriage is an obligation for anyone who fears committing what is forbidden by staying unmarried, whether it is Zina or any other sin. Ibn Hajar said: “Al-Qurtubi said: If someone is able (to get married) and fears harm for himself and his religion by remaining single, in a way that this harm is not removed from him except by marriage, then there is no difference of opinion that it is an obligation for him to get married.”

Also, Ahkaam Al-Quran authored by Al-Qurtubi reads: “The scholars have split into three different opinions about this: our scholars [i.e. the scholars of the Maaliki Mathhab] say that the ruling in this regard differs according to the believer's situation regarding fearing hardship, impatience, strength to be patient and absence of fear of hardship. If he fears ruin in his religion or worldly matters or in both, then marriage is inevitable.”

On the other hand, masturbation is forbidden and it results in many harms to the Muslim in his religious and worldly matters, so you must give up this evil habit. A Muslim should do everything that would help him preserve his private parts and avoid what arouses his desires, and do anything to extinguish them, like fasting, lowering the gaze and keeping good company.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 81150, 81853 and 84026.

Allaah knows best.