In this edition, we discuss a few important issues that can serve as guidelines in the study of birth prevention. At the end of each section, we briefly note the relevance of that section to subsequent discussions and conclusions.
1. Blowing Life into the Fetus
Some major stages of embryonic and fetal development are distinctly defined in Islam. Knowing this plays an important role in understanding issues relating to birth prevention.
While in the mother's womb, a human being passes through a number of stages before it becomes clearly featured Allaah says:
"We surely have created the human being (i.e., Adam (alayhi salaam)) from an extract of clay. Then We placed him (i.e., his offspring) as a drop (of sperm) in a firm lodging (i.e., the womb). Then We fashioned the drop into a clinging clot, then fashioned the clot into a lump (of flesh), then fashioned the lump into bones, then covered the: bones with flesh. And then We developed him into another creation (by blowing the soul into him). So blessed ;s Allaah, the best of creators," (Q23[Muminun]: 12- 14)
Allaah blows the life into a human fetus after it has completed four months in its mother's womb. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (RA) reported that the Prophet (salallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The mold of each of you is gathered together in his mother's womb for forty days as a seed, then as a clinging clot for as long, then as a lump of chewed-like flesh for as long. An angel is then sent to it. He breathes the soul into it, and is commanded. to record four things: its sustenance, life-span, deeds, and whether it will be miserable or happy (in the hereafter). By Allah, besides whom there is no other god, one of you will surely perform acts of the people of jannah (as it appears to people) until he is only a cubit away from it. However. what had been recorded for him will then take over, and he will perform acts of the people of the Fire and enter it. And one of you will surely perform acts of the people of the Fire (as it appears to people) until he is only a cubit away from it. However, what had been recorded for him will then take oyer, and be will perform acts of the people of Jannah and enter it." (Bukhari)
This hadith indicates that Allaah blows life into a human fetus after completing 120 days, equaling seventeen weeks or four months.
Relevance: Deliberate abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy amounts to killing a human being.
Prohibition of Inflicting Harm
Allaah is our Master and Owner. Our bodies are a trust from Him, and we do not have the freedom to destroy or harm them without the Owner's permission. Many birth prevention methods cause some physical (or emotional) damage. This varies with the individual and the method used. Some methods cause heart problems or tumors (physical harm), others cause depression (emotional harm), etc.
Allaah does not allow us to harm or endanger ourselves unnecessarily. Allaah says:
"Do not kill yourselves (or each other). Allaah is indeed ever Merciful to you. And whosoever does that in aggression and injustice - We will broil him in a fire; and that, for Allaah, is easy." (Q4[Nisaa]:29-30).
And Allaah says:
“Spend in the way of Allaah, do not throw yourselves - with your own hands - into destruction, and do good; indeed, Allaah loves those who do good." (Q2 [Baqarah]: 195)
Abdullah Bin 'Abbas and 'Ubadah Bin as-Sam it (RA) reported that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"No harm may be inflicted on oneself or others." (Ahmad)
Relevance: Some of the birth prevention methods incur a level of harm upon the individuals applying them. This harm is often unjustified and unacceptable.
Prohibited Medications
In any medical treatment, we may not use prohibited substances, such as intoxicants or pork products. Birth prevention is no exception to this rule. Such prohibited products cause definite harm to the body, which makes this discussion tied with that of the previous section.
Abu ad-Darda' (RA) narrated that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Indeed Allaah created the illnesses and their cure. So treat yourselves. but do not treat yourselves with something haram." (Tabaraani)
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported:
"The Prophet prohibited filthy medications." (Ahmad)
Ibn Mas'ud (RA) said:
"Indeed, Allaah has not placed your cure in what He prohibited for you (or in what is filthy)." (Ahmad)
Imam Ibn ul-Qayyim (RAH) said:
"Treating an illness with a prohibited substance is repulsive both to the intellect and to shar' (Islamic Law). It is rejected by the shar' because of hadiths and other evidence, and it is rejected by the intellect because the intellect perceives that Allaah only prohibits things of filthy nature ... This prohibition is for our protection, and it is not appropriate to seek through it a cure for diseases. Even ifit helps in treating them. it would still be followed by a greater sickness in the heart because of its evil power. Thus, a person who uses it for treatment would be substituting a physical sickness with a spiritual one." (Zaad al-Ma'aad)
Relevance: Some birth prevention methods involve an unjustified use of chemicals and other products that are normally prohibited in Islam.
4. Prohibition of Changing Allah's Creation
We stated above that our bodies are entrusted to us by our lord and Master. Therefore, we may not change the way Allaah created us (i.e., our physical integrity) except in areas that He permitted or commanded. Changing our physical integrity without permission from Allaah constitutes an obedience to Shaytan. It is a great atrocity and deviation that only results in loss. Allah says:
"Allaah cursed him (i.e., Shaytan), and he had said (to Allaah), "I will surely take from among Your servants a specific portion. I will mislead them, give them false promises, command them so they will~Iit the ears of cattle, and command them so they will change the creation of Allaah." Certainly, whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allaah is in tremendous loss." (Q4[Nisaa]:118-119)
Relevance: Some people change Allaah's creation by undergoing sterility or sex-change surgeries.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited