Birth control

As-salaamu ’alaykum,

I wanted to ask the imam about birth control medication. I have heard it is haram to use and I am really trying my best not to do anything haram and stay on the righteous path. I have had a very troubled marriage so far and due to that I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I have really bad panic attacks that come at any given time. Also, my husband does not want any more children; we have 4 together and he has one from a previous marriage. Does this excuse me so that I may use birth control medication?

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

In Islam, one of the main goals and purposes of nikah is to have children. Islam encourages couples to have many children and increase the ummah by doing so. Consider the following hadith:

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) has said, “Marry those who are fertile and loving, for verily I will be boasting of your great numbers.” (Nasaai)

With that in mind, however, in the aforementioned situation it would be permissible to use temporary contraception methods.

والله اعلم

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Ahad Yousuf Ahmed

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani