Contraception is a plan that all couples consider for organizing their life schedule. Stay with Saadnews for more.
What is the ruling on contraception?
In Islamic teachings, there are numerous encouragements for increasing offspring and growing the population. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Marry and increase your offspring, for I will boast about the large number of your followers over all other nations, even about the children who were miscarried." The reason for this is clear: the strength of a nation is primarily dependent on its population; smaller, less populous nations are often weaker and more vulnerable. While a larger population might sometimes cause problems related to food and housing, it remains one of the factors contributing to power and greatness. Strong countries are usually those with large populations, and they resolve challenges such as food shortages by utilizing the earth's resources.
Therefore, preventing pregnancy is "inherently" not encouraged in Islam, unless social and educational issues arise. However, Islam has not prohibited it, and according to the majority of Islamic scholars, preventing pregnancy with mutual consent is permissible. Some scholars even deem it acceptable without the woman's consent in certain circumstances. Islam allows Muslims to use contraception if there is a need to prevent pregnancy, such as when the woman is weak or facing other problems. However, it is important to note that this is only permissible if conception has not yet occurred. Once conception happens, abortion is absolutely forbidden, even if the fetus is only one day old.
💊 Contraceptive Pills
Ruling on Tubal Ligation for Women and Vasectomy for Men:
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If experts determine that preventing pregnancy is necessary to control population, using any means to prevent conception is inherently permissible, provided it is harmless and does not cause permanent damage to fertility. However, if it involves unlawful touching or viewing, it is only allowed in cases of personal or social necessity.
Therefore, tubal ligation for women or vasectomy for men is not permissible if irreversible, but if it can be reversed and does not involve unlawful contact or viewing (unless for urgent reasons), it is permissible.
Imam Khomeini: Preventing pregnancy is permissible as long as it does not lead to infertility or damage to body parts.
Ayatollah Tabrizi: Sterilization is not permissible if it constitutes harm or cruelty to oneself, but if it does not cause serious harm (such as the loss of body parts) and does not involve unlawful contact or viewing, it is permissible.
Ayatollah Khamenei: Vasectomy for men is permissible if it is done for a rational purpose and without significant harm. However, the practice is discouraged.
Contraceptive Methods (Condoms, Injections💉, Implants, IUDs)
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Using condoms is not problematic.
Ayatollah Khamenei: The use of condoms is permissible in itself.
Is the consent of the spouse necessary for using a condom?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: The husband's consent is not required, but it is discouraged without his permission.
Using contraceptive injections:
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If it does not cause significant harm and the wife consents, it is permissible.
Using implants like Norplant:
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If it does not cause significant harm and the wife consents, it is permissible.
Ayatollah Khamenei: Male doctors should avoid this procedure unless there is no female doctor available and it is necessary for the woman.
Using an IUD (Intrauterine Device):
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: It is permissible as long as it does not involve unlawful contact or viewing.
Ayatollah Sistani: A woman may use an IUD or any other contraceptive device as long as it does not cause serious harm, and the process does not involve unlawful actions like looking or touching by someone other than her spouse, or cause abortion.
Rulings Concerning Doctors
If a doctor sterilizes a man or a woman to prevent pregnancy, is there a blood money (diyya) to be paid?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: There is no blood money, but if the procedure is irreversible, it is not permissible according to Sharia law.
If a doctor is forced to sterilize a patient, what should he do? Will the doctor be responsible for the harm in case of coercion?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If the coercion involves the threat of losing their job, the doctor should not consent to this unlawful act. In this case, the doctor would be held responsible.
