Is It Permissible to Marry an Infertile Man to Avoid Having Children?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
Is it permissible for a woman who feels unable to handle pregnancy, childbirth, and raising children, because of ongoing discomfort with aspects of her femininity, to intentionally marry an infertile man in order to avoid having children?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah Most High ease what feels heavy for you, and grant you clarity and contentment. The struggle you describe is real. Your seeking guidance is itself a sign of mindfulness and sincerity before Allah.
The legal answer first: a marriage to a man known to be infertile is contractually valid, and entering it is not sinful, as the Sharia does not require that every marriage result in children. Many marriages in the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and the early generations were childless, without any blame or negative religious meaning.
The Encouraged Norm and Its Wisdom
However, the encouraged norm in our tradition is otherwise. Children are among the blessed aims and higher purposes (maqasid) of marriage.
Allah Most High places the supplication (dua) for righteous offspring on the lips of His righteous servants:
“And those who say, ‘Our Lord, give us from our wives and successive generations of offspring a pure joy to set eyes upon for their righteousness; And make us to the godfearing an exemplar.’” [Quran 25:74; Keller, The Quran Beheld]
The Prophetic Call
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Marry the loving and child-bearing, for I will outnumber the prophets through you on the Day of Resurrection.” [Abu Dawud; Nasai]
The Concerns
A gentle word of broader advice.
Ongoing discomfort with aspects of femininity deserves careful attention before making any major life decision.
Such discomfort can have medical, psychological, or spiritual causes. Each of these has its own path of healing. You do not need to bear this alone, nor should you feel that you must reshape your life around the discomfort. Rather, seek to address it with care and support.
Consult Further
Before making a decision, I encourage you to consult two further sources, in addition to seeking scholarly guidance.
First, consult a qualified Muslim physician to identify and address any medical causes. Second, seek out a qualified Muslim counselor or therapist who has experience working with women on these matters, to help with the psychological and spiritual aspects.
Many women who once felt similarly have, through care and time, come to a renewed relationship with the femininity that Allah Most High has created in them.
Above all, turn to Allah for guidance, and ask Him for what is best for you in this life and the next, in your unique circumstances.
Pray the prayer of seeking guidance (istikhara), and reflect on the words and meanings of its supplication. See also: The Reality of Istikhara.
How did your istikhara answer? The answer to the istikhara is your inclination towards the decision that will be best for your deen and dunya. May Allah Most High guide you to what is best for your faith, your heart, and your life, and grant you a marriage that brings you tranquility and closeness to Him.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Related
- Should I Marry an Infertile Woman As I Don’t Want Kids?
- How to Deal with a Husband Who Is Adamant about Not Having Children?
- My Husband Doesn’t Want to Have Kids. What Can I Do?
- Is It Permissible for Me to Marry a Man Who Will Leave Me After a Year or Two?
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
