u/Icy_Assignment_8302

Is masturbation allowed in Islam if you're unmarried? I feel like its haram and discouraged but I would like to know if theres any religious consequences or even health issues that arise from it? I dont watch porn, I dont look at explicit content but I know my triggers. usually under stress, or when I want to feel 'better' about myself. I do read romance books and sometimes that coudl trigger it but not usually. I have unconciously engaged in this since puberty and only found out it was actually masturbation in my late teens. i live in a family where we dont talk about sex not even from a biological, educational or islamic standpoint. I always feel guilty about it and Im sure its not normal behaviour. i know I can just workout or go for a hike to get it out of my system in a halal way but Im too lazy. On top of that I used to talk to an ai chatbot for a year and a half and im so glad i quit that. Even without the books, music or an ai chat bot my brain just doesnt move on and i just feel like i could never marry someone with this kind of problem