Assalaamu alaykum. I recently had a wet dream, but I stopped myself from completely ejaculating. After I woke up, I feared that this may be harmful to myself, so I purposely thought of sexual fantasies while lying in bed in a certain position, and I ejaculated (I did not masturbate or anything like that). Am I sinful? I only did this fearing for myself, but I feel really bad. May Allah reward you.

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, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

What you did of evoking sexual fantasies is impermissible. The fatwa of the Permanent Committee for Iftaa’ reads:

“Whoever has erotic thoughts and ejaculated as a result of finding pleasure in his thoughts must perform Ghusl (ritual bath) because the relevant ruling on Janaabah (major ritual impurity) applies to him in this case. If he deliberately evokes such erotic thoughts from time to time, then this is impermissible. It is unbecoming of a Muslim and contradicts perfect decency. A Muslim should refrain from it and, instead of arousing himself, preoccupy himself with useful activities that benefit him in the worldly life and the Hereafter. It should be noted that deliberate arousal of sexual desire through unlawful means is harmful to the health of the body and mind. It is feared that it may lead to evil consequences.”

We remind you that the Ghusl of Janaabah is obligatory on you on account of ejaculation.

However, we hope that you bear no sin because you are excused due to ignorance as this issue falls into the category of the subsidiary religious matters whose rulings may be unknown to lay-Muslims. The fatwa of the Permanent Committee for Iftaa’ reads:

“No one is excused for his ignorance of the principles and fundamentals of Islam if the message of the Quran and the Sunnah of His Prophet, sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is conveyed to him. Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): {And this Quran was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches.} [Quran 6:19] He also says (what means): {This (Quran) is notification for the people that they may be warned thereby...} [Quran 14:52] There are other verses as well with the same meaning. As for the subsidiary matters whose rulings may be unknown, ignorance is declared to be a valid excuse until the irrefutable proof is established and the person is educated beyond excuse of ignorance; there are many ahaadeeth to that effect.”

Allah knows best.