In the Name of Allāh,

the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Resolution No. 39 (1/5) Birth Control

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, holding its 5th session in Kuwait City, State of Kuwait, on 1–6 Jumādā al-Ūlā 1409h (10–15 December 1988),

Having examined the research papers submitted by the Academy’s members and experts concerning Birth Control,

Having listened to the in-depth discussions on the subject,

Having considered that, according to Shariah, one of the purposes of mar- riage is procreation and preservation of the human race, and that it is not per- missible to ruin this purpose because such a destruction is a violation of the principles and teachings of Shariah urging for birth increase, preservation, and protection of humanity, considering that the preservation of progeny is one of the five Maqāṣid (essential universals) protected by all divine laws,

Resolves

First: It is not permissible to issue a general law restricting the freedom of reproduction for married couples.

Second: It is prohibited to deprive a man or a woman of his or her physical capacity to procreate, known as sterilization, except in case of necessity based on criteria set by Shariah.

Third: It is permissible to control temporarily reproduction in view of spac- ing the pregnancy periods or to interrupt it for a fixed duration in case of a necessity recognized by Shariah, this should be done at the discretion of the married couple following consultation and consent between them, providing that no prejudice is caused and that the method to be used is legal according to Shariah, without any harm to an ongoing pregnancy.

Indeed, Allāh is All-Knowing.