The majority hold to a prohibition on masturbation; it is called "jerking" [khadkhada] or "pole beating" [jald 'umaira]; people alluded to the penis as "pole". Ahmad ibn Hanbal permitted it, since it is an excess in the body; therefore he permitted expelling it as the need arises, as in bloodletting or cupping. Harmala ibn 'Abd Al-'Aziz asked Malik about it, and he recited this verse.