Question: When is it permissible and when is it forbidden for a woman to use contraceptive pills? Is there any explicit text or jurisprudential opinion regarding family planning? And can a Muslim husband practice coitus interruptus (azl) with his wife during intercourse without any (reasonable) cause?
Answer: As much as possible, Muslims should increase their progeny, because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) drew our attention to this. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
تزوجوا الولود الودود فإنى مكاثر بكم الأمم
“Marry loving and fertile women, for I will boast of your great numbers.”
Also, because the abundance of progeny means the abundance of the Ummah, and the abundance of the Ummah is its strength. As Allah Almighty showed favor to the Children of Israel, He said:
وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا
“And We made you a great nation.”
Prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) said to his people (showing Allah’s favor):
وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ كُنْتُمْ قَلِيلًا فَكَثَّرَكُمْ
“And remember when you were few, then He multiplied you.”
No one can deny that the abundance of the Ummah is the cause of its power and honor, contrary to the claim of some suspicious and misguided people that the abundance of the Ummah causes poverty, hunger, and destitution. When the Ummah is numerous and has faith in Allah Almighty and believes in His promise:
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّـهِ رِزْقُهَا
“And there is no moving creature on earth but its provision is due from Allah.”
Then Allah will make its affairs easy and by His grace and mercy will free it from being subjugated by others. From this explanation, the answer to the above question becomes clear. Therefore, without two conditions, the use of contraceptive pills is not permissible for any woman:
The first condition is that the woman must have a need for it, for example, she is ill and cannot bear the strength for pregnancy every year. She may be physically weak or have other obstacles that make pregnancy every year harmful to her.
The second condition is that her husband must also permit it because the right to children and their birth belongs to the husband. Along with this, it is necessary to consult a doctor regarding the use of contraceptive pills to ensure that their use is not harmful.
If both of the above conditions are fulfilled, the woman may use contraceptive pills, but the condition is that she should not use these pills permanently to stop reproduction, because there is a risk of permanent infertility.
As for the second part of the question, the answer is that in reality, family planning is impossible because pregnancy or its prevention is under the control of Allah Almighty.
When a person sets a numerical limit for children, it is possible that this number may end in one year due to an epidemic or accident, and in that case, the person will remain without offspring and progeny. There is no ruling in Islamic Shariah regarding family planning; however, temporarily preventing pregnancy due to necessity is permissible, as we have just mentioned.
Regarding coitus interruptus (azl) without cause during intercourse, according to the correct opinion of scholars, there is no harm in it. Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
كنا نعزل والقرآن ينزل
“We used to practice azl during the time of the revelation of the Quran.” (i.e., during the Prophetic era).
If this act were forbidden, Allah Almighty would have prohibited it. However, scholars say that a husband cannot practice azl without the consent of his free wife because the woman also has rights in the children. Moreover, azl reduces the pleasure of intercourse, which is only complete after ejaculation. Therefore, not seeking permission harms her right to pleasure and may also harm the children. Hence, we have made her permission a condition.
