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:
A 29-year-old woman has given birth to ten children. After the tenth child, she underwent sterilization (tubal ligation) because her health was too weak to bear more children. The doctors advised against further pregnancies as they would harm her health. Contraceptive pills were also not suitable for her due to adverse health effects. With her husband’s consent, she had the sterilization operation performed. Are they sinful for doing so?Answer:
If credible medical professionals confirm that further pregnancies pose a serious risk to the woman’s health, then undergoing sterilization with the husband’s consent is permissible in this case.- The decision must be based on genuine medical necessity to preserve the mother’s life and health, as protecting life is a primary objective in Islamic law.
- This ruling is supported by Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (رحمه الله), who emphasized that such procedures are allowed when verified harm exists.
Key Principles of Islamic Ruling on Birth Control and Sterilization
- Temporary Contraceptive Methods (e.g., Pills):
- Using contraceptive pills or other temporary methods to space out pregnancies is permissible, provided they do not harm the woman’s health.
- Both spouses should agree on this decision.
- Permanent Sterilization (e.g., Tubal Ligation):
- Permanent methods of birth control are generally prohibitedin Islam unless there is a valid medical necessity, such as:
- Life-threatening health risks.
- Severe physical weakness that makes future pregnancies unbearable.
- Permanent methods of birth control are generally prohibitedin Islam unless there is a valid medical necessity, such as:
- Consent of Both Spouses:
- Sterilization or any other significant medical procedure affecting reproduction requires mutual consent between the husband and wife.
- Ruling Based on Necessity:
- Necessity (ضرورت) makes permissible what is ordinarily impermissible.
- In cases where the woman’s life or health is at risk, permanent sterilization is allowed to protect her from harm.
Islamic Evidence and Guidelines
- Preservation of Life in Islam:
Allah commands the preservation of life and forbids harm:
"And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful."
[Surah An-Nisa (4:29)] - General Permissibility of Contraception for Valid Reasons:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) permitted ‘azl (withdrawal) as a temporary method of contraception, which indicates the permissibility of avoiding pregnancy for legitimate reasons.
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1440] - Exceptional Cases Allowing Permanent Sterilization:
When medical experts affirm that continuing pregnancies will harm the mother, permanent sterilization becomes a permissible measure under the principle of removing harm (رفع الضرر).
Conclusion
- Sterilization is permissible in this specific case due to the woman’s health risks, as confirmed by medical professionals.
- Both the husband and wife are not sinful for this decision, as it was based on necessity and mutual consent.