When conversation drifts to Islamic rulings that have caused controversy over their absurdity, the list is always likely to run long. But while we heard many preachers contribute to this list, the latest addition goes to the Turkish preacher Mücahid Cihad who warned masturbators that their hands would become pregnant in the afterlife.

On a televised show that was aired on May 25 on 2000TV, Cihad received a call from a Muslim man who admitted that he "kept masturbating even though he was married."

Istimnaa (Arabic for masturbation) is commonly known to be a sin, but is also often found to be a vague matter in Islam due to little reference to the matter in Quran. Like many believers who may fall victim to ignorance, confusion or bewilderment, resorting to religious authorities is usually the best option to clarify any thoughts which may be unclear.

Taken aback by the confession and clearly perplexed by the inquiry, Cihad’s response probably added to the confusion of the caller, if not even inciting mockery and laughter.

Cihad advised the caller to “resist Satan’s temptation” before he added that “one hadith states that those who have sexual intercourse with their hands will find their hands pregnant in the afterlife, complaining against them to God over its rights."

Seeing that the preacher’s answer was barely informative, the caller felt compelled to clarify the condition adding that he masturbated even during his pilgrimage at Mecca.

But again, Cihad failed miserably at answering the question saying "If our viewer was single, I could recommend he marry, but what can I say now?"

Needless to say, Tweeps certainly had a say about this: