Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question: Assalamu alaykum
Since last summer, my libido has been extremely high for some reason. So much so, that I feel this is very abnormal for a female. I have tried everything. I remain very busy in order to keep myself distracted from it. I have tried since last summer to find a marriage spouse which has been very difficult thus far as I am finding that less and less people are pious these days. I am now considering asking my family physician for a referral to a gynecologist so that I can explain my situation and request medication that lowers libido. Can I do that?
Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam
I pray you are well.
Yes, it is permissible to use libido lowering drugs or other means to fulfil this purpose as long as the procedure reversible, and not permanent. Using something which will render the libido defunct permanently is impermissibile (al-Mawsu’a al-Kuwaitiyya).
Perspective
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to ʿAbdullah b. ʿAbbas, ‘Know that whatever hits you was never meant to miss, and what misses you was never meant to hit’ (Tirmidhi). The word ‘aṣāba’, translated here as ‘hit’, is used in Arabic to describe an arrow hitting the exact target. What we can learn from this is that every test we face is just right for us, and ‘tailor-made’ for our situation.
What’s more is that Allah, out of His kindness, makes everything that happens to us the best possible thing for us, and the greatest of rewards are granted through the most difficult of trials. Ask Allah for help, take the means to deal with your problems and be happy about the great good which will come to you through this trial.
Optimism regarding Allah
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us that Allah has said, ‘I shall be to my servant as he thinks I will be’ (Bukhari). Have a good opinion of Allah. Be confident that He will take care of you in the best of ways, and that He will give you a righteous spouse. Express you needs to Allah through du’a and the prayer of need (salat al-Hāja).
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat