Permission for Birth Control

In this Ghazwah, i.e., the Ghazwah of Banū Muṣṭaliq, upon the inquiry of various Companions, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that he does not consider it unlawful to practice birth control. In other words, the Holy Prophet(sa) declared that on the basis of necessity or wisdom, it is lawful for a man to employ any such method by which his wife does not become pregnant as a result of intercourse.1

In light of this edict, it is permissible for a Muslim to employ birth control for the health and well-being of his wife or children, or for any other genuine purpose. However, as derived from a Qur’ānic verse, Islām does not permit the use of birth control for the fear of poverty or financial difficulty,2 nor does it permit the use of such methods without the wife’s permission.3 Although this was a very insignificant issue in those times, but in the current day and age, it has taken on quite a bit of significance and interest.