Can a Muslim Girl Use Birth Control Methods?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Kharsa

Question

Can a Muslim girl (18 years old) use birth control methods to regulate painful menstrual cycles before marriage?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Allah has created man with a love for offspring and lineage, and He has made him keen on having children. Allah says, “The enjoyment of (worldly) desires—women, children… has been made appealing to people.” [Quran, 3:14]

One of the main objectives of marriage in Islam is to seek righteous offspring. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Marry, for I will boast of your great numbers over the other nations.” In another narration: “Multiply, for I will boast of your great numbers over the other nations on the Day of Resurrection.” [Bayhaqi with an authentic chain]

Based on this, scholars have established that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to use birth control methods unless there is a necessity or pressing need, and they stipulated for that not to cause any harm to the woman, due to the Prophet’s saying (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “No harm and no reciprocating harm.” [Ahmad, Ibn Maja]

Therefore, it is imperative for this girl to ask specialized doctors about the harms of using these contraceptives. If it is confirmed that there is no harm to her in using them, then it is permissible for her to use them to the extent of her need to regulate her cycle.

We advise this girl and others to be cautious and careful, as perhaps the harms are hidden from her, which may negatively affect her body or psyche. May God Almighty protect Muslim men and women, young and old, and guide them to what is good for them in this world and the Hereafter.

[Shaykh] Abdul Rahman al-Kharsa

Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Kharsa is a scholar from Syria, born in Damascus in 1971. He obtained his degree in Arabic Language from the University of Damascus. He received his Islamic education from some of the most prominent scholars of Sham, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Taj al-Din al-Kittani, Shaykh Muhammad Karim Rajeh, Shaykh Bashir al-Bari, Shaykh Ibrahim al-Hindi, Shaykh Hisham al-Salahi, among others.

He memorized the Holy Quran and studied the ten Qira‘at (recitations) through the ways of Shatibiyya and Durrah under Shaykh Muhammad Haytham Minini and Shaykh Abu al-Hasan al-Kurdi.

Shaykh al-Kharsa has served as a teacher at Al-Azhar University in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. He established Quranic centers in several areas in Lebanon and manages a Quranic center in Istanbul, where he is involved in Quran memorization programs and delivering both public and private lessons.

He teaches in the Ijaza system at Dar al-Fuqaha in Turkey. His work also includes scholarly research, particularly in the verification of texts within the Hanafi school. Notably, he has done the tahqiq of important works such as “Tanwir al-Absar” and “Jami‘ al-Bihar” by Imam al-Tumurtashi. May Allah preserve him and continue to make his efforts fruitful.