What is the ruling on someone who masturbated in Ramadan out of ignorance of its ruling, knowing that he is unable to make up the days and that he was not praying, and he now wishes to repent and pronounce the Shahada?

The practice of masturbation is forbidden during Ramadan and at other times. Its prohibition is even stronger during Ramadan due to the violation of the sanctity of the month. If it leads to the emission of semen, the fast is invalidated.

Making up for the days that were broken due to masturbation depends on the ruling concerning one who abandons prayer: 1. According to the majority of scholars (one who abandons prayer is committing a major sin): Repentance is obligatory, as is making up for the broken days of Ramadan and the missed prayers. The prayers should be made up as much as is not difficult, and if their number cannot be ascertained, one should continue making them up until it is highly probable that one's responsibility is cleared. 2. According to those who consider abandoning prayer to be major disbelief: It is not obligatory to make up those days or prayers. Rather, one must renew one's Islam by uttering the two testimonies of faith and performing ghusl (ritual bath), then become steadfast in performing prayers and other obligations.

The cautious approach and a way to resolve the difference of opinion is to make up for the broken days of Ramadan and the missed prayers if possible, along with sincere repentance. For Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful; He accepts the repentance of His servants and transforms their evil deeds into good ones.