Fatwa ID: 04103

Answered by: Maulana Shadman Ahmed

Question

A lady has had five children all via C-section, two miscarriages and one pregnancy had to be terminated.

She does not want any more children due to the amount of C-sections she has had as well as it being a huge risk to have anymore.

However, her husband is pressuring her to have a sixth child.

She wants to take contraception without him knowing and is asking if she allowed to do this because if he finds out he won't agree?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The best option would be to find a way to make the husband understand the health implications of another pregnancy. That way both the husband and wife are aware of what is happening.

The right of ‘Azl or coitus interruptus is given to the wife and as an extension of this rule, the right of contraceptives is also given to her. That is why the husband must ask permission of the wife before using contraceptives. There are a few times when the permission of the wife is not needed and this is mainly due to the corruption of the times.[1]

In conclusion, it would be permissible for the wife to use contraceptives without her husband knowing, but the best option would be to make the husband understand the health consequences of getting pregnant again.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Shadman Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham