Fatwa ID: 03047

Answered by:  Shaykh Umer Khan

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

When getting an IUD, a woman is obviously required to expose her 'awra. Since IUD isn't a dharoorat or even a haajat (and there are other permissible means of contraception available), would it be permissible to get?

Answer:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD or ICD) or coil, is a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are one form of long-acting reversible birth control (Wikipedia, "intrauterine device").

Use of an IUD is discouraged by jurists for multiple reasons. One such reason is that it is disliked to insert something into a woman's private area without a pressing need (Raddu al-Muḥtār, 1/289, al-Baḥru al-Rā'iq, 1/193).

Another, as you have stated, is that this method of contraception requires uncovering the private parts (ʻawrah) which should not be exposed, even to a doctor, except in the case of ḍarūrah (al-Hidāyah, 12/138).

Only Allah knows best

Written by Shaykh Umer Khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham