The Ruling on the Use of the IUD and Birth Control Pills

The first message in this episode came from Abdul-Sami' Hassan Abdul-Sami' al-Shubaki from Egypt, Sharqia Governorate. My brother Abdul-Sami' requests that we send him the answer in writing, which is not possible in this program. We remind him and other brothers who wish for this that they must write their addresses clearly in their messages and direct them to the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, Da'wah, and Guidance, as it is the body that, with Allah's permission, sends written answers to them. As for what reaches the radio, we try to present it via the airwaves as much as possible, and this is the extent of our ability. We ask Allah for success for everyone. My brother Abdul-Sami' Hassan's message says: What is the ruling on using birth control pills, and what is the ruling—also—on preventing pregnancy by means other than pills, such as IUDs and others? Please inform us, may Allah reward you?
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows: Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has prescribed marriage for His servants because of the great benefit in it, for lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts, and for increasing the Ummah and producing offspring. For this reason, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . It is the Sunnah for the believer to hasten to marriage, and likewise for the believing woman, and for them to strive in procreation and the means of procreation to increase the Ummah and to have children in whom good is hoped for, both males and females. They must also strive in the means of their children's righteousness and their fulfillment of what is obligatory upon them for Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, for His servants, and for their parents. However, if there is a need to prevent pregnancy, there is no harm. For example, if a woman is ill and pregnancy is difficult for her due to an illness in her womb, or an illness that doctors have determined will be harmed by pregnancy, she may take pills or injections to prevent pregnancy. Similarly, if a woman has many children, giving birth to one after another, and raising them is difficult for her except at intervals, there is no objection to her taking pills to prevent pregnancy or doing another act to prevent pregnancy during the period of breastfeeding, one or two years, so that she can manage the upbringing and be able to bear the expense of raising them. As for preventing pregnancy without a cause, the apparent indication of the Shari'ah evidence is that it is not permissible. It is only permissible in cases of need, such as 'azl (coitus interruptus); a man may practice 'azl with his wife out of need. And success is from Allah. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah bless you and reward you with good.