Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(65): "Ruling of Sharia on Birth Control“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(65): “Ruling of Sharia` on Birth Control“

Date: 9/5/1424 AH corresponding to 9/7/2003 AD.

 

The Board received the following question:

What is the ruling of Sharia on tying ovarian tubes and vasectomy?

Answer: All success is due to Allah

The Board is of the view that Islamic Sharia encourages Muslims to have many children to achieve the divine wisdom in the continuity of humankind. Allah, The Almighty Says {what means}: “And God has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for God’s favours?“ {An-Nahl/72}. The Islamic nation needs to multiply its offspring to preserve its existence, remain steadfast, achieve prosperity on earth, and push civilization forward.

Therefore, Islam called on Muslims to have many children. Anas narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Marry the one who is fertile and loving, for I will be proud of your great number before the nations on the Day of Resurrection”.

Moreover, it forbade every act that leads to not having children or lessening their number since Uthman Bin Maz`oon narrated that he said to the Prophet (PBUH), {what means}: “O Prophet of Allah, it is hard for me as a bachelor to kill my desire for sex. Why don`t you allow me to have a castration? The Prophet (PBUH) said: "you should adhere to fasting”.

Consequently, Muslim scholars unanimously agree that birth control is forbidden as well as any other procedures that lead to stopping human reproduction such as tying of ovarian tubes and vasectomy etc.

Although Islamic Sharia encourages having many children, it doesn`t approve of weak offspring, rather, it aspires for individuals who are strong mentally, physically, religiously and free of defects.

Thus, Islam enjoined choosing the suitable husband or wife when getting married. Both should have the previously mentioned traits so as for their children to be of the same caliber since the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah Will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and last enervation into your hearts. Someone asked: What is wahn (enervation). Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: Love of the world and dislike of death“.

This Hadith shows that Islam is concerned with the quality of Muslims rather than their quantity, to occupy a prominent position amongst the other nations. Moreover, in case the wife`s life is at risk or the fetus is inflicted with a serious disease that is likely to spread or lead to a disability, Islamic Sharia allows resorting to any of the means that stop such a pregnancy in order to protect the soundness of this nation`s offspring and maintain its interests, provided that such a procedure is approved by a committee of trustworthy expert doctors.

As regards temporary birth control by regulating periods between pregnancies, this is permissible provided that both spouses approve of it. This is based on the Hadith of Jabir who narrated: “We used to practice coitus interrupt us while the Quran was being revealed. Jabir added: We used to practice coitus interrupt us during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle while the Quran was being Revealed.” {Bukhari}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 Iftaa` Board

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izz Al-Deen Al-Tamimi

                 Dr. Mohammad Abu Yahia     

                  Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi       

    Dr. Yousef Gheezaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

  Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi

     Sheikh Naeim Mujahid

             Sheikh Mahmoud Shwayyat

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it obligatory for someone traveling by plane in the afternoon during Ramadan to fast?

Anyone who intends to travel after dawn must begin the day fasting and continue with the intention of completing their fast, as fasting was obligatory upon them before traveling.
However, if they experience unbearable hardship after starting their journey, they are permitted to break their fast due to that hardship, not merely because of travel. In such a case, they must make up for the missed fast later.

What is incumbent upon the one offering the sacrifice if, after slaughtering the animal, they discover that one of its internal organs is damaged or diseased?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The presence of disease or defect in the internal organs of a sheep does not affect the validity of the sacrificial animal, unless the disease leads to the animal becoming emaciated and its meat becoming corrupted.
 
It is stated in al-Iqnā' (2/590) by Imam al-Shirbīnī: "The third disqualifying condition: an animal with a manifest illness — meaning one whose illness visibly results in emaciation and corruption of its meat. However, if the illness is minor and does not produce such effects, it doesn`t affect the validity of the sacrificed animal." And Allah Almighty knows best.

Which is better during the day in Ramadan: reciting the Quran or performing voluntary prayers?

A Muslim should establish a daily schedule for reciting the Quran in Ramadan.
Once they have completed their daily portion (known as a wird or hizb), they can engage in other acts of worship, including voluntary prayers (nawafil). Prayer itself is called "Quran", because a significant part of it involves reciting the Quran.
Allah says: "BE CONSTANT in [thy] prayer from the time when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and [be ever mindful of its] recitation at dawn: for, behold, the recitation [of prayer] at dawn is indeed witnessed [by all that is holy]." [Al-Isra`/78]

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?

Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.