The Ruling On Using Birth Control

Question:

What is the ruling concerning birth control ?

Answer:

This is a contemporary issue and many people ask about it. In the previous session of the Conference of the Leading Scholars [of Saudi Arabia], there was a study of this issue. They issued a verdict according to their opinion on this issue. In sum, they concluded that it is not allowed to take birth control pills. Allah has sanctioned the means that lead to procreation and a larger Muslim nation. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) said,

''Marry the child-bearing, loving women for I shall outnumber the peoples by you on the Day of Resurrection .” [1]

Another narration states at the end, ‘’[outnumber] the prophets on the Day of Resurrection.’’ The Muslim Nation is in need of being increased in numbers so that it may worship Allah, strive in His way, and defend the Muslims, by the will of Allah, from the plots of their enemies. It is a must to avoid such things [as birth control] and not to use them except in the cases of dire necessity. If there is a necessity, there is no harm.[This would be,] for example, if the women has some illness in her uterus or so forth that would harm her if she were to become pregnant. Then she may use such pills to the extent of her need. This is also the case if she already has many children and it would become a hardship on her to have another one soon, then she may use the birth control pills for a specific amount of time, such as one year or two years, which is the amount of time designated for breast feeding, until she reaches the stage where she would be able to raise the child properly. But if the women is taking them just so she will be free of responsibility or to be able to work or to live comfortable life and other similar reasons why women take such pills these days,[it should be understood that] for these reasons it is not allowed to take birth control pills.

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[1] Recorded by ibn Hibban, Ahmed, al- Tabarani and others. Without the words ‘’the Day of Resurrection,’’ it is also narrated by Abu Dawud and Nasai According to al- Albani , it is authentic due to its supporting chains. Muhammed Nasir al-Din al –Albani, Irwa al- Ghaleel fi Takhreej Ahadeeth manaar al-Sabeel (Beirut: al- Maktab al- Islami, 1979), Vol.6, P. 195.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz

Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg. 163-164