CONTRACEPTION
Reversible
Chemical – the pill which is taken orally spermicidal jellies used locally.
Mechanical – use of condom intra-uterine device
Physical – coitus interruptus rhythm method
Permanent – sterilization operation – tubal ligations – vasectomies.
Question 1
Is the Practice of contraception allowed in Islam? If so, under what
circumstances?
Answer
Contraception is permissible on a limited scale for valid reasons – reasons
considered by the Shariah to be valid. The circumstances which will permit
reversible and permanent contraception differ.
REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION
Among the reasons accepted by the Shariah as valid for practicing reversible
contraception are:
(A) Physical weakness.
(B) Sickness.
(C) The wife maintaining her beauty or figure for the sake of her husband.
(D) The couple being on a journey or in a distant land.
(E) Adverse political conditions, e.g. children are forcibly separated from
their parents as is advocated by communism; etc.
(F) The couple decide to separate in the near future.
(G) The wife is an immoral person.
There are valid grounds for practicing reversible contraception. Poverty or
the fear of poverty are not valid reasons for contraception. It is not
permissible to practice contraception on account of a fear of not being able
to provide for a large family. Such a fear is an attribute of non-Muslims.
According to the Quran Shareef: ‘There is not a living creature, but its
sustenance is the responsibility of Allah.’
Similarly desire to curb sexual desire which may stem out of piety is not a
lawful ground for contraception. If practiced for any reason which is
unlawful in Islam, then contraception will likewise be unlawful, e.g. for
indulgence in illicit sex.
PERMANENT CONTRACEPTION
Permanent contraception is permissible only if the woman’s life is in danger
or her health is seriously threatened.
It is not permissible to practice birth control for the purpose mentioned by you. The sustenance of every individual is from Allah. Parents are only part of the means to provide.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti E. Desai