This ruling is derived from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women", based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
Question:
I am a woman using contraceptive rings to delay pregnancy so that I can focus on raising my young children, as they are still very small. Is this permissible in Islam?Answer:
The use of contraceptive methods, including contraceptive rings, is permissible under certain conditions:- Health and Safety:
- The method used for contraception should not cause harm to the woman’s health.
- It should not interfere with her acts of worship or her physical well-being.
- Legitimate Reasons:
- The reason for contraception must be valid, such as the woman’s health, the spacing of pregnancies, or mitigating risks like health complications or potential harm due to frequent pregnancies.
- Mutual Agreement:
- Both spouses must agree on the use of contraception, as it involves shared responsibilities in marital life.
- Avoidance of Permanent Sterilization:
- The method should not be intended for permanent prevention of pregnancy unless there is a genuine medical necessity, as permanent sterilization contradicts the Islamic emphasis on procreation.
Clarification Regarding Birth Control and Shariah Objectives
- Procreation as a Shariah Objective:
- Islam emphasizes increasing the Muslim population for the benefit of the Ummah.
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"Marry loving and fertile women, for I will boast of your large numbers before other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection."
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 2050]
- Temporary Contraception vs. Permanent Family Planning:
- Temporary measures taken for valid reasons (e.g., health, family stability) are not the same as adopting a permanent policy of limiting the family size, which contradicts Islamic principles.
- Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said:
"Refraining from having children or family is not something Allah or His Messenger (ﷺ) likes or encourages."
- Quranic Evidence Supporting Procreation:
Allah says:
"And We indeed sent Messengers before you, and We made for them wives and offspring."
[Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:38)]
Conclusion
- Using contraceptive rings for temporary family planning is permissible if:
- It does not harm the woman’s health.
- It is used for valid reasons, such as spacing between pregnancies.
- It is agreed upon by both spouses.
- However, contraception should not align with ideologies that reject procreation as one of the primary goals of marriage in Islam.