Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(35): “Issues in Pregnancy and Childbirth“

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(35): “Issues in Pregnancy and Childbirth“

Date: 23/12/1413 corresponding to 13/6/1993

 

The Board has received the following questions:

Question (1):

What is the ruling of sharia on the use of the loop, taking into consideration that it prevents a sperm from reaching an ovum or causes the fertilized ovum to be aborted?

Answer: 

A loop is a contraceptive tool, and using it for a lawful reason is permissible with the consent of both spouses similar to practicing coitus interruptus, for Jabir (May Allah be Pleased with him) said: “We used to practice coitus interruptus during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle while the Quran was being revealed.” Muslim narrated on the authority of Jabir:” The Prophet knew about that (coitus interruptus) and didn`t prohibit us from doing it.”

Question (2): 

A pregnant woman whose fetus has water in his head (congenital malformation), what is the ruling of Sharia on drilling his head to allow the water to come out in order to be delivered naturally or by a caesarian section?

Answer: 

If it was verified that the water in the fetus`s head prevents delivering him naturally or by caesarian section, then we should distinguish four cases:

First Case: It is possible to treat him while in his mother`s uterus, and the doctors decide drilling his head and drawing the water out of it. In this situation, it isn`t permissible to resort to any other procedure.

Second Case: It is impossible to take him out of his mother`s uterus no matter what, because his head is big and treating him isn`t possible. In this situation, drawing the water out of his head is an obligation, even if it leads to his death, to save his mother.

Third Case: If the specialized doctors decide that this fetus has no chance to survive regardless of the procedure employed in delivering him, then it is permissible to drill his head to allow the water to come out.

Fourth Case: If the specialized doctors determine that there is a chance for the fetus to survive with being deformed, then drilling his head is impermissible and they are obliged to take the necessary measures to deliver him and preserve the life of the mother.

Question (3):

 A woman has given birth to two deformed babies. However, she got pregnant, and underwent a medical test, which proved that her fetus is deformed as well; what is the ruling of Sharia on aborting it?

Answer: 

If it became four months old or more, then aborting it is impermissible, even if it was deformed, in case the doctors determined that it is likely to survive. However, if it jeopardizes the mother`s life, then it is permissible to abort it. Moreover, if it didn`t become four months old, and it was confirmed that its deformity will make its life unstable, then it is permissible to abort it with the consent of both spouses.

Question (4): 

A woman got pregnant for the first time, but her husband wants her to give birth by undergoing a caesarian section, although she can have a natural delivery?

Answer: 

In principle, natural delivery is the norm because it is in the best interest of both, the baby and its mother. Therefore, it is impermissible to substitute natural delivery with a caesarian section, unless for a necessity assessed by the doctors.

Question (5): 

A woman has many children, but her income is insufficient, so she wants to have her tubes tied, and refuses to use any other means of birth control. Is this permissible?

Answer: 

It is impermissible to tie her tubes for the above reason because undergoing this procedure will stop her from giving birth, she will become barren, and this involves defacing the nature created by Allah. He states in the Noble Quran what Satan said to Him {what means}: “I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created by God." Whoever, forsaking God, takes satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. “ {An-Nissa`/119}. Undergoing such a procedure also violates the intentions of Islamic Sharia as regards preserving the offspring. 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 favors? “ {An-Nahil/72}. In addition, it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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.” And Allah Knows Best.

 

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

Acting Mufti General, Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi

Mufti General of Jordanian Armed Forces: Mhamood Shwayat

        Dr. Abdassalam Al-Abbadi

Dr. Umar Al-Ashkaar

     Dr. Mohammad Yaseen

       Dr. Mahmood Al-Sartawi

         Dr. AbdulAziz Al-Khaiyaat

               Sheikh Ibrahim Khash-shaan

   Sheikh Ratib Az-zahir

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on praying seated due to severe obesity, given that I experience hardship in performing the prayer — especially when rising from the ground after sujūd to perform the next rak‘ah?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Standing, when one is able to do so, is a pillar of the prayer. However, whoever would experience severe, intolerable hardship, or fears harm to himself or to a limb due to obesity, or finds that standing causes him to lose his khushū‘ (humble focus and concentration) in prayer, then there is no objection to his praying seated on a chair or on the ground, performing rukū‘ (bowing) and sujūd (prostration) through gesture — provided that the gesture for sujūd is made lower than that for rukū‘. Whoever is able, at any point, to properly perform any one of these pillars, is obligated to perform it in full; for omitting it is a concession that applies only in cases of genuine inability. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When I command you to do something, do of it whatever you are able." (Related by al-Bukhārī). As the scholars of fiqh have established: what remains possible is not waived on account of what is difficult.
The criterion for determining genuine inability, as chosen by Imam al-Ḥaramayn al-Juwaynī (raḥimahullāh), is that the worshipper experiences hardship that causes him to lose his khushū‘.
As for voluntary (nafl) prayer, there is no objection to performing it while seated, even if one is able to stand. However, rukū‘ and sujūd must still be performed [in their proper physical form] by anyone who is able to do so. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on undoing braids of hair during the ritual bath?

It is not a condition to undo braids if the water reaches all the hair and penetrates to its base. If the water does not reach except by undoing the braids, then it is obligatory to undo them for the water to reach. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Does an internal medical examination for a woman affect her fast?

An internal medical examination for a woman invalidates the fast because it involves the entry of a foreign object into the body cavity (jauf) while fasting.
In this case, the woman must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for Ramadan and make up for the missed fast after Ramadan.
Such an examination should be avoided in Ramadan and other months unless absolutely necessary, as exposing the private parts is only permissible in cases of necessity.
If necessary, a woman should seek a Muslim female doctor first. If one is unavailable, she may see a female doctor from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). If neither is available, she may consult a trustworthy and competent Muslim male doctor.

Is it permissible to consume the meat of a sacrifice (Dhabihah) offered as an act of devotion to Allah, seeking His protection for my family?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to eat from this sacrifice, and the reward [for it] is according to what is given to the poor. And Allah the Exalted knows best.