Q 11: An experienced Muslim doctor informed a woman that if she has children she will die during delivery. Her husband has no other wife and they are in their prime and cannot live without each other. Is it permissible for this woman to use contraceptives? Is it permissible for her husband to practice coitus interruptus?

A: First, there are many Hadith that indicate the permissibility of practicing coitus interruptus. On the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated: "We used to practice coitus interruptus during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while the Qur'an was being revealed." (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) In another narration by Muslim, he said: "We used to practice coitus interruptus during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). When the Messenger (peace be upon him) heard about this, he did not prevent us." (Part No. 19; Page No. 309)  Second, using contraceptives and practicing coitus interruptus do not prevent whatever Allah has predestined. On the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated: "A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: I have a slave girl who is our servant and she carries water for us. I have intercourse with her, but I do not want her to conceive. He (peace be upon him) said: Practice coitus interruptus, if you so like, but what is decreed for her will come to her." (Related by Muslim, Ahmad, and Abu Dawud) Also, on the authority of Abu Sa`id (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated: "We went with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the battle of Banu Al-Mustaliq and we took some Arab women as captives. We desired women, as celibacy became hard for us, and we wanted to practice coitus interruptus. We asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) (whether it was permissible). He said: What is wrong if you do so? Verily, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has written what He creates until the Day of Resurrection." (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) (Part No. 19; Page No. 310) These two Hadith as well as others to the same effect indicate the permissibility of practicing coitus interruptus and using contraceptives. Third, what the experienced Muslim doctor said is not true as a person's lifespan is a matter of Ghayb (the Unseen), which no one knows except Allah (Exalted be He) who says: Verily Allâh, with Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.