the proponents of birth limitation or pregnancy prevention are, in fact, a group whose aim is to undermine the Muslims: to reduce their numbers in general—and the Arab Muslim nation and other oppressed peoples in particular—so that they may more easily colonize their lands, enslave their inhabitants, and enjoy the wealth of the Islamic world. Moreover, embracing such a policy smacks of the practices of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, reflects poor trust in Allah the Exalted, and weakens the Islamic structure, whose strength lies in the abundance and cohesion of its human building-blocks.

For all these reasons, the Council of the Islamic Fiqh Academy unanimously rules that it is categorically impermissible to set a ceiling on births, and it is impermissible to prevent pregnancy out of fear of poverty, for Allah is the Provider, the Possessor of strength, the Ever-Firm, and “there is no creature on earth but that its provision rests with Allah” (Qur’an 11:6), or for any other motive not recognized by the Sharia.

However, resorting to methods that prevent or delay pregnancy is permissible in compelling situations involving verified harm—such as when a woman is unable to give birth naturally and must undergo surgery to extract the fetus. The same concession applies when postponement is sought for other legitimate religious or medical reasons confirmed by a trustworthy Muslim physician. Indeed, preventing pregnancy may become obligatory if reliable Muslim doctors establish that it would expose the mother to certain harm or threaten her life.

The generalized call to limit births or prevent pregnancy therefore remains unlawful for the aforementioned reasons. Even more sinful is the coercion of entire populations into such policies, especially at a time when colossal sums are squandered on the global arms race for domination and destruction instead of being invested in economic development and constructive endeavors.

Council of the Islamic Fiqh Academy