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Sûrah  23:5-7
"...those who guard their private parts, save from their wives or [bondwomen] whom their right hands own, for these are not blameworthy. But whoever seeks beyond that, those are the transgressors" 

Most scholars interpret this ayah as the guideline for what is permitted in sex, extrapolating from it that masturbation is not permitted.  This verse is clear in guiding with whom sex is permitted, ie: wives.  This verse addresses the issue of adultery or fornication, not masturbation.

Masturbation is NEITHER EXPLICITLY FORBIDDEN NOR PERMITTED in Islam. There is no punishment associated with it.  It cannot be considered harâm or a sin.  Most scholars take the view that it is strongly discouraged. 

Imam Ghazâlî’ in Ihya Ulum ud Din in the ‘Book of Worldly Usage.’ ‘Secrets of Marriage’ mentions the following hadîth: 

‘Once a man asked Ibn Abbas (ra) ‘I am a young man, I do not have a wife. I fear sin in most cases and many a time I take out semen by hand pollution. Is there any sin in it?’ Ibn Abbas (ra) turned from him and said: ‘ Alas! It is better to marry a slave girl than it, but it is better than fornication.’ 

Masturbation

Throughout the centuries the majority of scholars have ruled that masturbation is harâm (forbidden). Even with such a ruling there is no set punishment for the act itself. The main argument of making it harâm is the following ayah:

Sûrah 23:5-6 
The Believers who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond or (the captives) whom their right hands possess - for (in their case) they are free from blame.

It is stated that the only halâl time to use the sexual organ is outlined in this âyah. That any use of the organ in any other way sexually is to transgress the boundaries given in Qur'an making one a transgressor.

Sûrah 23:7 
But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors.

It is important to note at this point, this ruling does not apply when masturbation involves ones spouse. Meaning that if a spouse is sexually gratifying her husband or his wife in such a way it is permissible. Because men and women have the right to receive enjoyment from their spouses, be it his/her hand or other parts of his/her body.  

There is a basic ideal within Islam that if one must do something that is normally harâm by necessity than it becomes permissible. We see this point very clearly in the forbiddance of certain foods, but Allah has also stated along side the prohibition

Sûrah 2:173
...But if one is forced by necessity without willful disobedience nor transgressing due limits then is he guiltless. For God is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

Sûrah 6:145
But (even so) if a person is forced by necessity without willful disobedience nor transgressing due limits - thy Lord is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

This ideal is not limited to only that of food, but is an accepted general rule within sharî'ah (Islamic Law). This general acceptance can also be seen in the actions of Umar (r.a.) who lifted the punishment for theft in the time of famine.