ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books From Marriage to Parenthood The Heavenly Path Chapter 4: Family Planning Family Planning in Islam Family Planning in Islam [^1] Family planning as a private measure to space or regulate the family size for health or economic reasons is permissible in Islam. There is neither any verse in the Qur`an or ĥadīth against birth control, nor is it obligatory to have children in marriage.

Moreover, there are several ahadith which categorically prove that birth control is permissible. It is narrated from Imām °Alī : “One of the two (means) of affluence is to have few dependents.”‘[^2] It is narrated from Imām as-Ŝādiq (as) : “(Imām) °Ali ibn al-°usayn saw no problem in coitus interruptus and he used to recite the verse that ‘When your Lord took from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their descendants…’[^3] So from whatsoever (seed) Allāh (SwT) has taken a covenant, it is sure to be born even if it is (spilled) on a hard rock.”[^4] According to the above tradition, creation is in the hand of Allāh (SwT) alone.

Whether or not we practice birth control, if Allāh (SwT) wills, the child will be conceived. In conclusion, the above aĥādith demonstrate that birth control is permissible. Methods of Contraception There are a number of different methods of contraception. The most commonly used ones will be examined below to determine whether their use is permissible in Islam or not.

Permissibility has been determined by the definition of the beginning of pregnancy according to the Islamic point of view, which is when the fertilized ovum is implanted onto the lining of the uterus. Therefore, whatever prevents implantation is permissible and whatever terminates pregnancy after implantation is an abortion and haraam. It is necessary to note that these methods have been studied from the fiqh point of view only.

For the medical opinion about the reliability or possible side-effects of these methods, please consult your doctor. Permissible Methods The following methods do not involve surgical operation and are also reversible. A man or woman using these methods can stop using them at any time in order to conceive a child. 1. Oral Contraceptives Birth control pills prevent conception by inhibiting ovulation.

The pills alter hormonal levels and suppress the hormonal signal from the gland for the ovaries to release an ovum. These pills are taken orally on a precise schedule for 20 or more days during each menstrual cycle.