Fatwa ID: 09358
Answered by Mufti Yusuf Badshah
Question:
My wife is currently pregnant with our fourth child. Following a consultation, we have been advised to consider a tubal ligation, as any future pregnancies may pose significant health risks. The consultant explained that the combination of her three previous caesarean deliveries and the upcoming one increases the likelihood of complications, including the risk of disrupting existing scar tissue, which could endanger both the mother and any future pregnancies.
Given this medical advice, we would like to know whether it is permissible for us to proceed with the recommended procedure.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Self-castration is impermissible if done without necessity [1]. However, if the mother has developed medical complications such that she is at significant risk of damage to her health should she fall pregnant again, then it will be permissible to proceed with the procedure to protect her from further harm [2]. However, precautions should be taken to ensure this medical advice is accurate and has been given on the basis of a genuine and significant risk to her health [3].
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Mufti Yusuf Badshah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
Raddul Muhtar, vol. 6, pg. 388, Darul Fikr:
وَأَمَّا خِصَاءُ الْآدَمِيِّ فَحَرَامٌ
[2]
Raddul Muhtar, vol. 6, pg. 56, Darul Fikr:
مِمَّا فِيهِ ضَرُورَةٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ تُبِيحُ الْخُرُوجَ عَنْ أَصْلِ الْمَذْهَبِ مِنْ طُرُوُّ الْمَنْعِ
Surah Al-An’aam 119:
… وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ …
Sahih Al-Bukhari 5686:
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ نَاسًا، اجْتَوَوْا فِي الْمَدِينَةِ فَأَمَرَهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَلْحَقُوا بِرَاعِيهِ ـ يَعْنِي الإِبِلَ ـ فَيَشْرَبُوا مِنْ أَلْبَانِهَا وَأَبْوَالِهَا، فَلَحِقُوا بِرَاعِيهِ فَشَرِبُوا مِنْ أَلْبَانِهَا وَأَبْوَالِهَا، حَتَّى صَلَحَتْ أَبْدَانُهُمْ
[3]
Surah Al-Hujurat 6:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ