Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In the present era, there is much propaganda at the global level regarding family planning.
In this context, coitus interruptus (azl) is presented as evidence, so we wish to clarify its legal (shar‘i) status.
It is a fact that the foundation of the birth control movement, from the very beginning, was laid in opposition to the laws of nature and in rebellion against the commands of the Shari‘ah, because underlying it is the notion that the earth’s produce and economic resources are extremely limited, while the birth rate is unlimited. Therefore, to overcome this “crisis,” it is deemed necessary to have as few children as possible, so that the standard of living is not lowered but rather elevated.
But the Noble Qur’an outrightly declares this way of thinking to be incorrect and repeatedly proclaims that providing sustenance is the responsibility of Allah Ta‘ala. He who created mankind is not only the Creator but also the Provider (Razzaq). Thus, Allah Ta‘ala says:
“There is no creature that moves upon the earth except that its provision is upon Allah.” (Hud: 6)
Man’s only task is to strive to seek his sustenance from the treasures created by Allah Ta‘ala.
This movement of family planning is also contrary to the temperament of Islam because nothing is dearer to Allah Ta‘ala than the safety of the Muslim Ummah.
He does not wish that the handful of Muslims, surrounded by countless enemies, should always remain in danger. Therefore, He specifically commands the Muslims to increase their numbers.
Thus, it is mentioned in the hadith:
“Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will boast of your great numbers before the other prophets on the Day of Resurrection.” (Musnad Ahmad: 158/3)
This is why the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade living a celibate life without reason.
(Musnad Ahmad: 158/3)
Allah Ta‘ala has declared the man to be the cultivator and the woman to be his field. Allah Ta‘ala says:
“Your women are your fields.” (al-Baqarah: 223)
No intelligent person destroys his field; rather, he utilizes his resources to obtain produce from it.
But the aim of the family planning movement is to render this field barren and useless.
In the Age of Ignorance, due to the fear of poverty and excessive zeal for honor, the method of birth control was infanticide.
Islam, upon its advent, uprooted this cruel practice from its very foundation.

(2)
Among Muslims, the tendency toward coitus interruptus (azl) arose in view of certain specific circumstances, the reasons for which were as follows:
• Azl was practiced with free women because, in their view, conception (istiqrar-i haml) might harm the nursing child.
• With slave women, it was done so that they would not bear children, because if she became umm walad (mother of a child), she could not be sold, but would have to be kept.
Since, in the beginning, there was no explicit clarification in the Book or Sunnah regarding the impermissibility of azl, some of the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum, in view of their specific circumstances, felt the need for azl and practiced it, as is reported regarding Ibn ‘Abbas, Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas, and Abu Ayyub al-Ansari radi Allahu anhum.
(al-Muwatta’ of Imam Malik, Book of Divorce, Chapter on Azl)
When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was informed of this by some Companions, he remained silent, and his silence was taken as approval, so it continued to be practiced. As Jabir radi Allahu anhu says:
“We used to practice azl during the time of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was informed of this, but he did not forbid us.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 3561 (1440))
When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was asked about it, he gave different answers in different circumstances, the details of which are as follows:
• Expressing amazement, he said:
“Do you really do that? Whatever soul is destined to be born until the Day of Resurrection will surely be born.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 5209)
• “If you do not do it, there is no harm to you.” (Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 3544 (1438))
• The narrator says that the words “la ‘alaykum” (no harm upon you) are closer to prohibition.
Another narrator says that through this manner of speech, he rebuked the act of azl.
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 3550 (1438))
• “Why do you do that? For whatever soul Allah Ta‘ala has decreed to be created, it will surely be created.” (Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 3544 (1438))
• “If you wish, you may practice azl, but whatever is written in destiny will surely occur.” (Musnad Ahmad: 312/3)
• “Doing so is secretly burying your children alive.” (Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 3550 (1442))
In light of these narrations, the learned Companions considered it disliked (makruh), as Imam Tirmidhi rahimahullah has clarified.
(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 1138)
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhuma also did not consider azl to be good.
(al-Muwatta’ of Imam Malik, Book of Divorce, Chapter on Azl)
It is not wise to select one of these various answers and base the birth control movement upon it.
At most, it can be used as evidence for birth control in individual cases of necessity, but it cannot be used to justify launching a general movement.
In our view, there are several differences between the current movement and azl, the details of which are as follows:
• Practicing azl due to specific circumstances is a private matter between husband and wife. For example:
If pregnancy poses a danger to the woman’s life or there is a risk of extraordinary harm to her health, then in such cases, if, on the advice of a trustworthy and honest doctor, azl or any other modern method is adopted for birth control, it is permissible and remains a private matter between husband and wife. However, it is not permissible to violate their rights as a matter of national policy, nor is there any scope for adopting it as a fashion.
• Practicing azl does not guarantee that pregnancy will not occur; it is only a possibility, as is evident from an incident during the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith: 3556 (1439))
Despite precautions, pregnancy did occur. But according to the method of family planning, if it is followed, pregnancy is certain not to occur. Therefore, to present azl as evidence for family planning or to make an analogy with it is a false analogy (qiyas ma‘ al-fariq).
• If a woman with whom azl was practiced becomes widowed or divorced, she can be married for the purpose of having children, so there is no obstacle. However, in some cases, a woman who has practiced family planning may face difficulty—if she has used permanent contraceptive drugs or devices, how can someone seeking children marry her?
In any case, it is sufficient to declare family planning unlawful and forbidden that, if the movement is implemented on a wide scale and such methods or devices are made accessible to the general public, men and women may indulge in sexual pleasure without fear of pregnancy, as is happening today with centers being opened in every street and alley. The result will be widespread immorality and moral destruction, as is now being lamented by those countries that have experimented with this movement. Therefore, it does not befit a self-respecting and honorable Muslim to support this irreligious and immoral movement.
May Allah Ta‘ala protect us from this epidemic.
Amin.