The Ruling on the Use of Contraceptive Methods

Question: My wife used a method of birth control because she was exhausted by consecutive pregnancies every year for several years. She has decided to discontinue this method after five years have passed. Please note that she has given birth to four children, the eldest of whom is four and a half years old. What is your guidance? May Allah reward you with good?

Answer: There is no blame on using birth control methods to avert harm, provided that this is done during the breastfeeding period in the first and second years, so that consecutive pregnancies do not harm her and so that she is not prevented from the lawful upbringing of her children. If she is harmed by pregnancy following pregnancy, whether in the upbringing of the children or in her health, there is no blame in this regulation within the limits of the first and second years during the breastfeeding period. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encourages increasing offspring and boasts of his Ummah to the nations on the Day of Resurrection, saying (peace and blessings be upon him): .