Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum Dear Brother,

 

It would be very nice if you could tell me what Islam tells about birth-control. I heard that in my country goverment is failing to lower birth-rate because in rural areas it is said that any kind of contraceptive measures is haraam in Islam. Please enlighten me on this issue.

 

Allah Hafez.

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Birth control

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Islam has permitted the spacing of children in a marriage, if one wishes to do so.   It has been reported in authentic narrations that some of the noble companions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) used to practice ‘coitus-interruptus’, whereby the male organ is removed from the female organ just before ejaculation.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.136         Narrated by Jabir

We used to practice ‘coitus interruptus’ during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (saws) while the Qur'an was being Revealed.

 

Most of the scholars of Islam are of the opinion, that there is no harm if one wishes or tries to space the birth of one’s child, or even uses one of the modern forms of birth control to space the ages of their children.  But all of them are absolutely unanimous in their opinion that any form of permanent birth control is absolutely forbidden in Islam.  

 

Your Question: it is said that any kind of contraceptive measures is haraam in Islam. Please enlighten me on this issue.

It would not be entirely accurate to say that all kinds of contraceptive measures are forbidden in Islam.  Although it is not encouraged, Islam does permit the usage of contraceptive measures if one’s intention is only to space one’s children; but if one’s intention in using contraceptives is to permanently block or stop the having of children, then that indeed would be absolutely forbidden for the believers, who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan