He says in his letter: If a husband and wife agree to use birth control pills, and this is not for the reason of the wife’s illness, but rather they agreed to have only four children.
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The questioner : This letter reached us from Muhammad Barghouth. He says his location is Syria. He says in his letter: If a husband and wife agree to use birth control pills, and this is not for the reason of the wife’s illness, but rather they agreed to have only four children, and their wish was fulfilled, and the wife used the pills afterward with her husband’s consent, what is the ruling on that? And what is the ruling if she used them without his consent? Is there sin in this and a contradiction of the Shari'ah?
The Shaykh : As for a woman using birth control pills without her husband’s consent, it is forbidden for her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because her husband has the right to children, and many people marry specifically to seek children. As for her using the pills with her husband’s permission, if there is a need, such as the woman being exhausted by pregnancy and it being difficult for her if pregnancies follow one another, especially if she is one who conceives quickly, then there is no blame on her in using them in that case.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : With the husband’s permission. And if there is no cause or need, then she should not use them, because that contradicts what is required by the Shari'ah regarding having many children. Having many children is a required matter and is also preserved; it is a source of the honor of the Ummah. Allah the Exalted bestowed this upon the Children of Israel, where He said:[Al-Isra 17:6] And Noah reminded his people of this, where he said: [Al-A'raf 7:86] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will boast of his Ummah to the prophets on the Day of Resurrection.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And the fact that this man and his wife agree to have only four children is an error on their part. For these four may die, or some of them may die. And who said that the limit of children is only four? Rather, the more they have, the better and more honorable it is for the person. Perhaps Allah will make among them good, blessing, knowledge, and jihad in the path of Allah. So this action should not be done by them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O gentlemen. We come to an end here.
The Shaykh : As for a woman using birth control pills without her husband’s consent, it is forbidden for her.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because her husband has the right to children, and many people marry specifically to seek children. As for her using the pills with her husband’s permission, if there is a need, such as the woman being exhausted by pregnancy and it being difficult for her if pregnancies follow one another, especially if she is one who conceives quickly, then there is no blame on her in using them in that case.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : With the husband’s permission. And if there is no cause or need, then she should not use them, because that contradicts what is required by the Shari'ah regarding having many children. Having many children is a required matter and is also preserved; it is a source of the honor of the Ummah. Allah the Exalted bestowed this upon the Children of Israel, where He said:
and made you more numerous in manpower
وجعلناكم أكثر نفيراAnd remember when you were few and He increased you
واذكروا إذ كنتم قليلا فكثّركمThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And the fact that this man and his wife agree to have only four children is an error on their part. For these four may die, or some of them may die. And who said that the limit of children is only four? Rather, the more they have, the better and more honorable it is for the person. Perhaps Allah will make among them good, blessing, knowledge, and jihad in the path of Allah. So this action should not be done by them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O gentlemen. We come to an end here.