Can I Choose Not To Have Children By Choice and Use Reversible Sterilization to Avoid Pregnancy for Life?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I don’t want to experience pregnancy. Here, in my case, I am extremely repulsed by the idea of pregnancy. I have many reasons not to want to experience pregnancy, taking a life commitment to raising children. Here are some reasons:
– Birthing is gruesome, so why would I do that? I have a fear of pregnancy side effects of post-birth.
– I believe having children will restrict my abilities to contribute more to the umma by doing my best in my deen mentally.
– I prefer to focus on maintaining relationships with family and friends; having children can spoil my mood to be a good support for them.
– I don’t want to be a burnt-out mom and resentful with regrets.
So, can we do tubal ligation/vasectomy?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question. Allah (Most High) reward you for your intentions to remain working for the umma, Amin.

The reasons you have mentioned are not valid justifications. Esteemed Muftis and Jurists state permanent female sterilization is prohibited (haram) in Shari‘a (Sacred Law) except in cases of absolute necessity, like a woman’s life or her permanent health being severely threatened by pregnancy, etc. See the links below.

Children Are a Joy

In most cases, children bring blessings, mercy, and joy to your family’s sustenance, life, and work. Try with one, and see for yourself. Pray two rak‘as of Prayer of Need and Guidance, and ask Allah for direction and guidance in your life and family decisions.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.

Related 

• Permanent Contraception (Female Sterilization) – Does Intention Affect Permissibility? – SeekersGuidance
• The Permissibility of Contraception – SeekersGuidance
•  Etiquette of Marriage: A Comprehensive SeekersGuidance Reader
• The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained – YouTube
•  Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the 
• Istikhara, The Prayer of Seeking Guidance: The Ultimate Guide – A Reader – SeekersGuidance
• How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)? – SeekersGuidance

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekers.flywheelstaging.com)?

I pray this helps with your question.

Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.