Pregnancy Prevention in Islam
Mainstream media in both Kenya and International are currently on an overdrive campaign to promote permanent pregnancy prevention methods known as ‘vasectomy’ for men and ‘tubectomy’ for women. Vasectomy and tubectomy methods are permanent, irreversible and involve surgical operation. The two methods are allege to be suitable for men and women who are sure they do not want to have children! Reproductive health activists and doctors are hosted primetime interviews and given print spaces to present their pro-opinions on benefits of procuring the methods. All of them cite their reasons for their support due to the crisis of resource scarcity and overpopulation!
It is a shame that a nation like Kenya blessed with abundant resources capable of sustaining its citizens without seeking foreign aid and loans; is running fast to enact and execute laws and policies drafted and championed by the Western regimes and their organizations like UN. All in the name of addressing an economic problem witnessed across the globe and alleged as precipitated by scarcity of resources! Indeed, Western regimes led by US their foundation is secular creed (separation of religion and life/state) and their ideology is capitalism (prioritizing to safeguard capitalists for purposes of economic growth). So their laws and policies emanate from their limited minds as enshrined in their respective fabricated guidance in the name of constitutions or canons, which vest sovereignty to the people (their intellect). Secular capitalist ideology promotes individualism and selfishness in people and its definition of success lies in unlimited material accumulations and satisfying sensual organs! Therefore, we continue to witness massive plundering of resources by a few secular capitalists and then later they initiate cosmetic solutions to reduce population such as this permanent methods to address economic problems bedeviling the people whom in origin they are oppressing by plunging them into poverty!
On the other hand, Islam emanates from the Creator of man, universe and life. So He (swt) is the Legislator and He (swt) alone can be referred to for genuine guidance. Consequently, in Islam, economic problem is NOT scarcity of resources BUT distribution of resources. Hence, Islam prohibited the circulation of wealth within a few people and made it an obligation to have fair distribution of resources. Allah (swt) says:
((كَيْ لاَ يَكُونَ دُولَةً بَيْنَ الأَغْنِيَاءِ مِنْكُمْ “So that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you” [Al-Hashr: 7]
In Islam, pregnancy prevention is permitted (mubah) as long as it is a temporary pregnancy prevention method. Bukhari and Muslim have reported on the authority of ‘Ataa` that he heard Jabir (ra) saying: “We used to practise ‘Azl while the Qur’an was being revealed.” ‘Azl is when a man has sexual intercourse with his wife when about to discharge semen; he withdraws and ejaculates outside the vaginal canal. Based on the ruling on ‘Azl then analogy (qiyas) is made to the permissibility use of medicines, condoms or coil (IUD) to prevent pregnancy. On the other hand, Islam has prohibited (haram) permanent pregnancy prevention methods such as vasectomy, tubectomy amongst others since they are type of castration and so take the ruling of castration on them. Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas that Uthman bin Maz’un said: “O Messenger of Allah (saw), I am a man suffering from having no wife. Permit me to castrate myself.” He (saw) said: “No! However, you should fast.” Furthermore, pregnancy prevention is just a human effort but if Allah (swt) wants, a child to be born will be born irrespective of either the father wants or not. Ibn Hibban reported on the authority of Anas that the Prophet (saw) said: “If the semen from which a child comes is spilled on a rock, He will bring forth from it a child.”
The permanent termination of procreation conflicts with the Legislator’s making of procreation and childbearing as the original purpose of marriage. That is why Allah (swt) said in showing His (swt) kindness to people: (وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً) “And Allah has made for you, from your wives, sons and grandsons” [An-Nahl: 72]. In addition, the Allah (swt) has made the having of many children a recommended act (mandoob) and encouraged people towards it and praised the one who does it. Ahmad reported on the authority of Anas that the Prophet (saw) said: “Get married to the tender and fertile for indeed I like my Ummah to outnumber others on the Day of Judgement.”
In conclusion, it is very clear that indeed the invalid secular capitalist ideology has failed to fight the few rich who oppress the majority, subject them to unimaginable atrocities and catastrophes due to their evil colonialist laws and policies of invading other nations, and plunder their resources with no fear of accountability! Then later deceptively attempt to introduce evil policies that aim to reduce the population on the pretext of addressing an economic problem due to scarcity of resources! We call upon every sane person to awaken and embrace the call for the resumption of the Islamic way of life via the reestablishment of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the method of Prophethood. Only the Khilafah can provide genuine security and tranquility in society by comprehensive implementation of Shari’ah (Qur’an and Sunnah). Hence, realization of justice and fairness by fair distribution of resources/wealth amongst other just acts and citizens’ will be respected and honored irrespective of their number of children or religion or race.
Ali Nassoro Ali
Member of Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Kenya
Article No.58: Friday, 16 Dhul-Hijja 1440 | 2019/08/16