Is Family Planning allowed in Islam?

by Jamaal Zarabozo

The question of family planning and birth control was discussed in detail by the Majma al-Fiqh al-Islaami. They had twenty three scholars research this topic and present their findings on this matter. The participants involved represented many different trends and schools of thought. Among the participants were Muhammad Ali al-Baar, Ali al-Saaloos, Muhammad Saeed Ramadhan al-Booti, Abdullah al-Basaam, Hasan Hathoot and Muhammad Sayid Tantaawi. Their proceedings, papers and discussions may be found in Part One of the Fifth Volume of Majallah Majma al-Fiqh al-Islaami (1988/1409 A.H.). These proceedings are 748 pages all about the question of birth control and related issues.

The following are important points related to the issue of birth control in Islam. These were mentioned by some of the participants in the above program:

The institution of marriage and the want to have children was the custom of the best of creation, the prophets and messengers chosen by Allah. Allah says about them

"And indeed We sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring"
(al-Raad 38)

The best example for the believers is the example of the prophet Muhammad (saw), who married and had children. These prophets and messengers are the people whom Muslims should look to emulate. Allah says

"They are those whom Allah has guided. So follow their guidance" (al-Anaam 90)

They should be emulated and not the disbelievers of the West, whose new lifestyles - mostly out of concern for enjoying this life or obtaining as many worldly goods as possible - discourage women from having more children.

Islam has forbidden celibacy, monasticism and castration for such purposes. The prophet (saw) made this clear when he told those companions who were considering acetic forms of life: "I pray and I sleep; I fast and I break my fast; and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my way of life is not from me."

The prophet (saw) not only encouraged marriage but he encouraged marrying those women who are child-bearing. He stated: "marry the loving, child-bearing women for I shall have the largest numbers among the prophets on the day of Resurrection."(Recorded by Ahmad and ibn Hibban.)

From the Islamic perspective, children are a gift and a blessing from Allah. Allah mentions some of the bounties that He has bestowed upon mankind in the following verse:"And Allah has made for you spouses of your own kind and has made for you, from your wives, sons and grandsons, and has bestowed upon you good provisions." (al-Nahl 72)

Allah also said: "Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world." (al-Kahf 46)

The only true provider for all mankind is Allah. If Muslims follow what Allah has prescribed for them, Allah will provide for them. Allah has warned about killing one's children out of fear of poverty for either parents or the child. Allah says: "Kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them" (al-Anaam 151)

Allah also says: "And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for them as well as for you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin" (al-Isra 31)

Hence, Muslims should never abort or kill their children out of fear of poverty. It is Allah who provides for them.

Based on the above points and numerous others, the scholars who participated in the research on this question came up with the following resolution:

• It is not allowed to enact a general law that limits the freedom of spouses in having children.
• It is forbidden to "permanently" end a man's or a woman's ability to produce children, such as by having a hysterectomy or vasectomy, as long as that is not called for by circumstances of necessity according to its Islamic framework.
• It is permissible to control the timing of births with the intent of distancing the occurrences of pregnancy or to delay it for a specific amount of time, if there is some Shariah need for that in the opinion of the spouses, based on mutual consultation and agreement between them. However, this is conditioned by that not leading to any harm, by it being done by means that are approved in the Shariah and that it not do anything to oppose a current and existing pregnancy.

Can we learn about abortion and veneral diseases?

Question: An article appeared recently in the Times UK regarding capping the intake of muslim medical students due to their opposition of learning about abortion and venereal diseases. The article mentions:"Many of the students oppose abortion, while others have said that they would refuse to treat venereal diseases because they are a punishment for immorality."

A group of muslim medical students at Manchester University are trying to raise awareness about the misconceptions behind these views. I was hoping maybe you could provide a short statement about the permissibility of at least learning about abortions (due to their permissibility if the life of the mother is in danger) and also learning about and treating venereal diseases.

Answer:

Abortion and the termination of pregnancy is normally impermissible and contrary to the teachings of Shari’ah. However, it becomes permissible in certain compelling situations, as mentioned in detail in a recent post.

Similarly, to perform this act on another person is also unlawful, as what is unlawful for oneself will also be unlawful to perform on another.

Allah Most High says: “And help one another in virtue and piety and do not help one another in sin and oppression”(Surah al-Ma’idah).

However, to acquire knowledge regarding the practice of abortion is permissible, as there are circumstances when abortion becomes permissible. It is also perfectly lawful to learn about venereal diseases, and to say that they are a punishment for immorality is incorrect. One may repent from his/her sin and become beloved in the eyes of the Almighty. Also, it is not necessary that all venereal diseases occur due to sinning or immorality.

And Allah knows best.

Masturbation haram or halal ?

Question: Is masturbation haram? The reason im asking this cuz i have so many friends they some says its haram some says its a natural thing . Its keep you away from bad deeds.. My second question is If Someone is Fasting and he gets horny some how "as u know sexual urges are natural and come and go ". So doing masterbating while on fasting is it bad or it doenst matter ? some ppl say it doenst matter cuz its a natural thing , some says its matter your fast broke if u do the masterbation ??
 Answer:
1. The fiqh regarding masturbation may be found below.
2. The very meaning of Islam is submission: we submit our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls to Allah Most High, out of thankfulness for the blessing and life-giving light of His religion.
Allah tests our slavehood. Many people have 'natural' tendencies and urges towards that which Allah has declared unlawful. This is our test with Allah Most High.
Allah Most High said in the Qur'an,
"And the soul and He who perfected it
And inspired it (with conscience of) what is wrong and right for it.
He is indeed successful who purifies it,
And he is indeed a failure who stunts it." [Qur'an, 91:9-10]
 
The Ruling on Masturbation: Prohibitively Disliked & Sinful
Masturbation is sinful, being prohibitively disliked, because of its many personal and societal ill-effects that are known and recognised in sane traditional societies and by balanced people the world over.
As for modern 'expert' opinions that there is 'nothing wrong with it,' these are the opinions of the same people who see nothing wrong with fornication, nudity, and most other personal and social depravity.
The early Muslims used to say, "The one who weds his hand is accursed." (Fath al-Qadir)
Its prohibition was established by Allah Most High's words, "Those who guard their private parts, except from their spouses..." [Qur'an, 23: 5]
Thus, the general ruling regarding sexual activity is that it is impermissible, except through the particular channel that Allah permitted, out of His tremendous wisdom and mercy for His creation.
The rulings of the Shariah are for the worldly and eternal benefit of humanity, as a manifestation of the tremendous mercy of Allah, for Allah Himself is absolutely free of any need. Rather, it is we who need guidance, to give true joy and illumination to our lives in this world and the next.
So, When Could Masturbation Possibly Be Allowed?
Masturbation is only allowed in the very rare situation where:
 

• if the person did not do this, they genuinely fear that they would fall into actual zina (i.e. unlawful sexual intercourse), because of their uncontrollable desire, and
• they are unable to marry, and
• have taken all reasonable means to lessen their passion (such as fasting, lowering their gaze, avoiding meat and dairy products, avoiing those things that stir their desires, such as bad company, spending unnecessary time outdoors, especially in public places such as shopping malls where there is fitna, avoiding watching tv and surfing the internet, etc).

In such cases, it is not haram because of the principle that, "If there are only two options, but harmful, then one takes the lesser of the two harms to avoid the greater one."
However, when there are third options, it remains impermissible to take the lesser harm, such as masturbation.
Even when the conditions outlined above are met, it would only not be impermissible to the extent necessary to quieten one's sexual desire, not for sexual gratification. Otherwise, it would remain sinful. These conditions are extremely rare.
[derived from: Ibn Abidin's Hashiya, al-Lakhnawi's Naf` al-Mufti wa'l Sa'il, and al-Nahlawi's Durar al-Mubaha, Kamal ibn al-Humam's Fath al-Qadir]
As for the fast: masturbation that leads to ejaculation invalidates the fast.
And Allah knows best.

SEXUAL RELATIONS BETWEEN SPOUSES AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Islam is a perfect religion.  It covers all aspects of human life, including spouses’ sexual relations. 

The husband and the wife choose their sexual activities according to the teaching of  Quran and Ahadith and in mutual respect for one another.  In this context, following points are important.

1. Sexual relations are for the pleasure of both the husband and the wife and for the procreation of children.

2. Nothing should be done that is offensive or harmful or unacceptable to your spouse.  Each has a duty to be sexually available to the other, but neither has the right to disgust or injure the other, physically or psychologically.

3. Sexual pleasure is not limited to vaginal penetration, as it includes other forms of caressing, love making, such as kissing and fondling of various kinds.

4. With a few exceptions, the couple can engage in any activities that they like, in any manner and in any position. Allah (swt) rewards permissible activities as surely as he punishes sinful activities.  It is in Quran - "Women are your fields. Go then into your fields as you please." ( Al-Baqara - 223).

5. It is often reported by sexual counselors in Muslim countries that some modern men and women impose on their spouse on the night of marriage like animals and expect that the spouse will carryout certain prohibited things they have seen on commercial sex websites.  This kind of behavior often ruins the life of both the partners.

6. It is forbidden in Islam to have vaginal intercourse while a woman is menstruating (Al Baqara - 222).

During menstruation, women often have mood swings.  The husbands should give due consideration to this natural phenomenon. However, a man and his menstruating wife can give one another pleasure so long as the woman's genitals are avoided.  On such occasions, women should not remove their lower garment (pajama). 

It is in Hadith - Narrated Ummul Momineen A'isha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا):  "The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to recite the Quran with his head in my lap while I used to be in my periods (having menses).  (Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 639)"

It is in Hadith - Ummul Momineen Maimuna (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) reported:  "The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) contacted and embraced his wives over the waist-wrapper when they were menstruating.  (Muslim,Book 003, # 0579). 

It is in Hadith - Ummul Momineen A'isha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) reported:  "When anyone amongst us (amongst the wives of the Prophet -صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم ) menstruated, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) asked her to tie a waist-wrapper over her (body) and then embraced her.  (Muslim, Book 003, # 0577).

7. Anal intercourse (sodomy) is forbidden in Islam – Period.   It is the worst kind of  sexual practice, not done by even wild animals. 

It is in Hadith - "Allah (سبحانہ و تعا لی) does not look at one who comes to his wife in her anus". (Nasa'i: Hasan Isnaad; Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibbaan).   

It is in Hadith -  "Cursed are those who come to their wives in their anuses." (Abu Dawood, Ahmad and others with hasan isnaad).

8. The Quran and the Sunnah are generally silent as to the various positions during fondling/love making. Most Ulema  consider that it is up to the husband and wife, in love and mutual respect, to decide how to physically and emotionally express their sexual desires.

9. What goes on in bedroom, is a private matter between spouses and should not be discussed or revealed to other persons unless there is some necessity, such as health or safety.

It is in Hadith - Abu Hurairah  (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrates that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said this about people who reveal and discuss openly their sexual practices: "Do you know what those who do this are like? Those who do this are like a male and female devil who meet each other on the road and satisfy their desire while the people look on."

It is in Hadith - The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)said "The most evil of the people to Allah (سبحانہ و تعا لی) on the Day of Resurrection will be the man who consorts with his wife and then publicizes her secret.(Muslim).

10. If the husband is absent from his wife because he is traveling for a legitimate purpose or other legitimate excuse, in this case the husband should try not to be absent from his wife for too long. The husband is obliged to treat his wife in a kind manner, which includes sex.   The majority of scholars set the time limit beyond which it is not permissible for the husband to forgo intercourse at four months.  However, Ulema agree that there is no time limit; the husband should have intercourse with his wife according to her emotional and physical requirements. 

It is in Hadith - Imam Bukhari reported from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas, who said: “The Messenger of Allah(صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said: ‘O ‘Abd-Allah, have I not heard that you fast all day and stand all night in prayer?’ I said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) .’ He said: ‘Do not do that. Fast and break your fast, stand in prayer and sleep. For your body has rights over you, your eyes have rights over you, and your wife has rights over you.’ (Bukhari) 

In the commentary on this Hadith, it says: “The husband should not exhaust himself in worship to the extent that he becomes too weak to fulfill her rights by having intercourse with her and by earning a living.” (Fath al-Bari).

11. Touching and caressing the genetelia of partners by hands is allowed.  In this case,  hands and private parts should be pre-cleaned thoroughly to avoid infections. 

12. On the question oral sex (genital contact by mouth), some Ulema consider it forbidden as sexual fluids are najis, while some Ulema consider it ‘tolerated’.

In this context, following facts are important.

(a) Partners who regularly perform oral sex on each other, have found to suffer from Oral (mouth) Cancer.

(b) It is confirmed that diseases like Chlamydia, Human Papillama-virus (HPV), Gonorrhea, Herpes, Hepatitis (Multiple strains), and other Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV can be cause of oral sex.

(c) In 2005, a research study at the College of Malmo in Sweden suggested that performing unprotected oral sex on a person infected with HPV increases the risk of Oral Cancer.  The study found that 36 percent of the Cancer Patients  had HPV compared to only 1 percent of the healthy control group

(d) Another recent study suggests a correlation between oral sex and Head and Neck Cancer.  It is believed that this is due to the transmission of  human papillama-virus (HPV)  a virus that has been implicated in the majority of cervical cancers and which has been detected in throat cancer tissue in numerous studies.

(e) If the (Oral Sex) receiving partner has wounds or open sores on his/her genitals, or if the (Oral Sex) giving partner has wounds or open sores  in his/her mouth, or bleeding gums, this poses an increased risk of STD transmission.

(f) Brushing the teeth, flossing, undergoing dental work, or eating crunchy foods such as chips/Burgers/French Fries /coke  relatively soon before or after giving oral sex can also increase the risk of transmission, because all of these activities can cause small scratches in the lining of the mouth. These wounds, even when they are microscopic, increase the chances of contracting STDs   that can be transmitted orally under these conditions.  Such contact can also lead to more mundane infections from common bacteria and viruses found in, around, and secreted from the genital regions.                                               

In view of the above facts and the great health hazard to human life, the Ulema may agree that oral sex of all kinds is forbidden in Islam.

COMPLAINTS MAY BE SENT TO MUNEERAHMED938@GMAIL.COM
highlight the mistake if i made , in the comments ...

IS YOUR GHUSL CORRECT?

CHECK THESE FACTS: ALL YOUR PRAYERS ARE INVALID IF YOUR GHUSL IS NOT CORRECT. CLEANLINESS IS HALF OF FAITH. HERE IS THE METHOD OF GHUSL ACCORDING TO SUNNAH.
Before making Ghusl one should make Niyyah (intention) thus: - "I am performing Ghusl so as to become Paak." Without Niyyah, there is no Thawaab (reward) although Ghusl will be valid. Ghusl should be made in a place of total privacy and one should not face towards the Kiblah while making Ghusl. Ghusl may be performed standing or seated, preferably seated. Use sufficient water, don't skimp nor be wasteful. One should abstain from speaking while performing Ghusl. It is better not to read any Kalimah or Aayah while bathing. Be aware of these rules whilst making Ghusl.


PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMING GHUSL:
 

• Wash both hands up to and including wrists.

• Wash the private parts. The hands and private parts should be washed even if one is not in the state of Janaabat or Najaasat.

• If there is Najaasat elsewhere on the body, it should now be washed off.

• Perform Wudhu (Read separate pamphlet for Wudhu according to Sunnah). If making Ghusl on a stool or platform where water will rapidly flow away, and then perform the complete Wudhu. If there is fear of the feet being immersed in wastewater during the Ghusl then postpone the washing of the feet to the end of the Ghusl. Ensure that the mouth and nostrils are thoroughly rinsed thrice.

• After performing Wudhu, pour water over the head thrice, then pour thrice over right shoulder and thrice again over left shoulder. Now pour water over entire body and rub. If the hair of the head is not plaited, it is compulsory to wet all the hair up to the very base. If a single hair is left dry, Ghusl will not be valid. If the hair of a woman is plaited, she is excused from loosening her plaited hair, but it is compulsory for her to wet the base of each and every hair. If one fails to do this then the Ghusl will not be valid. As for men who grow long hair and plait them, they are NOT excused from leaving their hair dry. If a woman experiences difficulty or is unable to wet the very bottom of her plaited hair, then it is necessary for her to unplaite her hair and wash her entire head. It is Mustahab (preferable) to clean the body by rubbing it. All parts of the body should be rubbed with the hand so as to ensure that water has reached all parts of the body, and that no portion is left dry. Rings and earrings, etc. should be moved so as to ensure that no portion covered by them is left dry. Ensure that the navel and the ears are all wetted. If they are not wet Ghusl will be incomplete.

• On completion one should confine oneself to a clean place. If, while performing Wudhu, the feet had been washed, it is not necessary to wash them again. Dry the body with a clean towel, and dress as hastily as possible.

If, after Ghusl, one recalls that a certain portion of the body is left dry, it is not necessary to repeat the Ghusl, but merely wash the dry portion. It is not sufficient to pass a wet hand over the dry place. If one has forgotten to rinse the mouth or the nostrils, these too could be rinsed when recalled after Ghusl has been performed.



The three Faraa'ids (compulsory acts) of Ghusl are: -

• To rinse the mouth in such a manner that water reaches the entire mouth.
• To rinse the nostrils up to the ending of the fleshy part.
• To completely wet the whole body. When one performs these Faraa'id intentionally or unintentionally Ghusl will be valid.