The Use of Birth Control Pills to Avoid Childbearing

Question:
If a woman agrees to avoid childbearing by using birth control pills, what is the ruling on that?

Answer:
The use of birth control pills is, in any case, subject to detailed consideration. If there is a pressing need for it—because the wife carries this burden and it harms her—then there is nothing wrong with using the pills, provided one is careful to ensure they do not cause harm, and that this is done under the supervision of a doctor, and that she takes only what she needs until a period of one year, two years, or more has passed. Then she should stop the pills so that she can become pregnant and so that she and her husband, and the Muslims, can benefit. It is not appropriate for the pills to be used continuously; rather, they should be used only to the extent of the need, or because she is ill and pregnancy would harm her, such that she would not give birth except through surgeries and with harm. In that case, she takes the pills for the sake of this great harm, or for other legitimate religious reasons.
As for making it a habit absolutely, that is not appropriate. Rather, this harms society and harms the wisdom that Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) established through the tongue of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in encouraging the increase of children, in order to increase the Muslim community. The disbelievers and those who associate partners with Allah desire that this be widespread among people; they desire that the use of these pills be widespread among them, so that the offspring of the Muslims decrease, and so that their numbers decrease, and so that the numbers of their enemies increase. This is what the disbelievers seek, so it is not appropriate for a Muslim to fulfill the desires of the disbelievers by using these pills that harm society, reduce offspring, and reduce the Muslim community. And Allah is the One to be asked for help.