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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

What is the ruling on someone who doesn`t perform prayer?

All perfect praise be to Allah,The Lord of The Worlds                                                                                                                                                                    Not performing prayer is a major sin, and one who doesn`t pray out of laziness is considered an oft-sinner ;whereas, the one who denies that it is mandatory is considered a disbeliever. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it incumbent on a father to cover the marriage costs of his son if the latter couldn`t afford them?

The son should seek the help of his relatives in order to convince his father to do the aforesaid, and the father should make sure that his son doesn`t commit fornication through helping him to get married, and Allah will reward him for doing so.

Is it a condition that a woman should untie her locks while making Ghusl (ritual bath)?

Ghusl from Janabah (ritual impurity), or menstruation obligates that water reaches the roots of the hair in order for the Ghusl to be valid, but if it doesn`t, then hair locks must be untied for water to reach them, and for Ghusl to become valid.

What is the ruling on praying in congregation at the mosque?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama‘ah) is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) for resident men regarding the performance of the prescribed (obligatory) prayers. For men, praying in congregation at the mosque is better than praying elsewhere, such as at home. On the authority of Abdullah bin Umar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees more excellent than the prayer of a person alone' (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim). Furthermore, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Shall I not tell you that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?' They said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Performing wudu thoroughly despite difficulties, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after the prayer; that is your Ribat (steadfastness)' (Narrated by Muslim).
 
As for a woman, her praying in congregation at home is better for her than in the mosque, according to the saying of our Master the Prophet ﷺ: 'Do not prevent your women from attending the mosques, but their homes are better for them' (Narrated by Abu Dawood). Young boys should be encouraged to attend the mosques and congregational prayers so they may become accustomed to them. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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