Q: Which forms of contraception are allowed in Islam?
A: Contraception is permissible on a limited scale for valid 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 practising 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 practising 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 Qur’an 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 practised 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.
The first three are methods of reversible contraception and the fourth are examples of permanent contraception.
Chemical – the pill which is taken orally or spermicidal jellies used locally.
Mechanical – use of condom (intra-uterine device).
Physical – coitus interruptus.
Permanent – sterilization operation – tubal ligations – vasectomies
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