Islamic Views regarding Contraception

Contraception could be explained as any method used for the prevention of the child birth. Since this measure contradicts the purpose of marriage, we shall try to clarify this universal truth in the light of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H).

Islamic Sources:

The fundamental sources judging the ethics of contraception in accordance with the Islamic laws are the Qur’an, Prophet’s tradition and ijtihad (the efforts exerted by the Islamic scholars on issues which remain unexplained due to unavailability of specific text). The Qur’an does not give a resounding statement either in support or against contraception as such. There might be a similarity in its denunciation of infanticide, which was generally confined to the female off springs and in trend before the arrival of Islam.

Some scholars have deducted the conclusion from the traditions of the Prophet that if the process of creation is stopped due to the fear of feeding infants, then the crime would be equal to infanticide. In the pre-Islamic era, girls were considered a burden and liability to the family. Therefore, female infanticide was quite common. As soon as girls were born they were buried alive. The arrival of Islam put an end to this inhuman and immoral practice. Infanticide is the killing of an already existent child whereas contraception implies to the precaution taken to avoid birth.

The Qur’an encourages mothers to feed their children for two years after birth. Qur’an seems silent on the topic of contraception consequently it leaves us on the Hadiths to look for our answers. The method of contraception practiced in the days of the Prophet was called Al’azl. It’s literal meaning is to pull apart. To speak of it technically, it is a process in which the male counterpart withdraws at the time of emission to prevent child birth.

From the Hadith, it is clear that Prophet (SAWS) was aware of the practicing of Al’azl and he did not ask the people to stop this practice. However, in another Hadith it has been emphasized that a woman should give her acceptance for this procedure. Another Hadith explains that Allah can create whenever He wants, and He has the infinite powers. Muslim scholars have tried to explain this issue further by their research of the Sunnah. They have come to the conclusion that this process of withdrawal was permitted by the Prophet and cannot be compared to minor infanticide.

There are four schools that have given their derivation of contraceptive methods. The first one states that it is not desirable for the husband to practice ‘azl with his wife without her consent as it is her marriage right to bear children. Another school agrees to the above conclusion. Imam Al Nawawi of Shafi School says that this act is not commendable in any condition, irrespective of the women’s consent. However, if the wife agrees then it will not be considered haram. The Hanbali School states that the practicing of azl without reason is improper. However, it is not haram but the consent of the wife is important.

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