What is the ruling on birth control and family planning?

Family planning is permissible in Islamic law in the sense of spacing between pregnancies due to a valid excuse, such as protecting the mother’s health, helping her avoid the harms of multiple successive pregnancies, or allowing her to devote herself to the children she already has. In contrast, birth control is impermissible insofar as it involves the permanent cessation of reproductive capacity without a valid excuse, which runs counter to the teachings of Islam and its overarching aim of preserving human progeny.

The noble Sunnah does not prohibit the practice of spacing pregnancies, by analogy with coitus interruptus (ʿazl), wherein the man withdraws and discharges externally after completing intercourse. Coitus interruptus was practiced and considered permissible during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as narrated in the Sahih of Imam Muslim from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, “The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) practiced ‘azl with their women during the lifetime of the Prophet, and he knew of it but did not forbid it.”

The difference between limiting childbirth and spacing between pregnancies lies in the fact that the former refers to the permanent cessation of pregnancy after reaching a specific number of children, without a valid excuse. In this sense, it is not permissible in Islamic law. In contrast, family planning, i.e, spacing between pregnancies, refers to delaying conception for a valid reason, such as protecting the mother’s health or other legitimate considerations mentioned earlier in this response. In this case, it is permissible according to Islamic teachings.

And Allah Almighty knows best.