BIRTH CONTROL

Everyone may know what birth control is, but what we didn’t know is that: Is it really good for human beings? Is it allowable in Islam (Haram or Halal)? What are the Islamic views on this issue? What are the views of other religions? And does it affects the health? Well, let’s see the definition of birth control first. Birth control is several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception (the prevention of fertilization), contragestion (the prevention of the implantation of the blastocyst) and abortion (the removal or expulsion of a foetus or embryo from the uterus). Contraception includes barrier methods, such as condoms or diaphragm, hormonal contraception, also known as oral contraception, and injectable contraceptives. For example Vasectomy, where the Vas deferens of a man are cut and tied to prevent the passage of sperm from the testicles to the semen. This procedure allows a man to have intercourse and ejaculate, but not transfer sperm to his mate, hence fertilisation of the sperm towards the ovum is prevented and she will not get pregnant. Beside that is Hysterectomy, this procedure involves surgically removing the uterus from a woman. This results in permanent sterilization for the woman. Hysterectomies are the most common gynecological procedure done in the United States, with over half a million performed each year. Most of these are not for serious medical reasons. Physical methods of birth control are those that do not alter the body in any way and simply prevent the sperm from meeting the egg. These include methods like condoms, diaphragms, and coitus interruptus (withdrawal). Coitus Interruptus is when the man withdraws from the woman before ejaculation. Contragestives include intrauterine devices and what is known as the morning after pill that can disrupt the natural hormonal or menstrual cycle of a woman in order to prevent pregnancy. Since nowadays, people use these birth control methods very widely.  

Now let’s see the history of birth control. In ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome birth control are well documented. One of the earliest documents explicitly referring to birth control methods is the Kahun Gynecological Papyrus from about 1850 BC. It describes various contraceptive pessaries, including acacia gum, which recent research has confirmed to have spermatocidal qualities and is still used in contraceptive jellies. Other birth control methods mentioned in the papyrus include the application of gummy substances to cover the "mouth of the womb", a mixture of honey and sodium carbonate applied to the inside of the vagina, and a pessary made from crocodile dung. Lactation of up to three years was also used for birth control purposes in ancient Egypt. Plants with contraceptive properties were used in Ancient Greece from the seventh century BC onwards and documented by numerous ancient writers on gynaecology, such as Hippocrates. Plants commonly used for birth control in ancient Greece include Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota), willow, date palm, pomegranate, pennyroyal, artemisia, myrrh, and rue. In ancient China, seventh Century BC, the Chinese physician Master Tung-hsuan documented both coitus reservatus and coitus obstructus, which prevents the release of semen during intercourse. However, it is not known if these methods were used primarily as birth control methods or to preserve the man's yang. In the same century Sun Ssu-mo documented the "thousands of gold contraceptive prescription" for women who no longer want to bear children. This prescription, which was supposed to induce sterility, was made of oil and quicksilver heated together for one day and taken orally. As for Indians, they used a variety of birth control methods since ancient times, including a potion made of powdered palm leaf and red chalk, as well as vaginal suppositories made of honey, ghee, rock salt or the seeds of palasa tree.  

A variety of birth control prescriptions, mainly made up of herbs and other plants, are listed in the 12th century Ratirahasya ("Secret of Love") and the Anangaranga ("The Stage of the God of Love"). Next, let’s look on how birth control is in early Islam. n the late ninth to early tenth century the Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi documents coitus interruptus, preventing ejaculation and the use of suppositories to block the cervix as birth control methods. He describes a number of suppositories, including elephant dung, cabbages and pitch, used alone or in combination. During the same period Ali ibn Abbas al-Majusi documents the use of suppositories made of rock salt for women for whom pregnancy may be dangerous. In the early tenth century the Persian Polymath Abu Ali al-Hussain ibn Abdallah ibn Sina, known in Europe as Avicenna, included a chapter on birth control in his medical encyclopedia The Canon of Medicine, documenting 20 different methods of preventing conception.  

Most country legally allows Birth Control and there are no obligations. Some countries for example China and Singapore encourage the population to practice birth control as the population of their country is exceeding limit. Last time Singapore had come out with a notice that every couple should at least have two children in a family. They even gave out free condoms. So, is birth control really beneficial? Even in Malaysia, a lot of clinic that provide birth control procedures such as vasectomy has been opened. There are no obstruction on birth control in Malaysia.  

Many wonder does birth control affects one’s health? Well, it varies and it depends on what type of method did one used. First, Intrauterine devices or better known as IUDs, a T-shaped plastic device that is wrapped with copper or contains hormones. IUDs are inserted through a woman’s uterus and a string is tied at the end of it that hangs down the cervix and through the vagina. The string is used by the doctor to remove the IUD. There are two types of IUDs actually Hormonal IUD and Copper IUD. There are advantages of this method, for example does not cause weight gain, may prevent endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. As for the risk of IUDs, there are several, one of them is menstrual problems for women. The copper IUD may increase menstrual bleeding or cramps. Women may also experience spotting between periods. Next is perforation, which the IUD is stuck in or puncture the uterus. Although this happens rarely, it always occur during the insertion of IUD. Beside IUDs, Vasectomy which is a permanent birth control for men, where the vas deferens from each testicle is clamped, cut, or otherwise sealed. This prevents sperm from mixing with the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. For this method, it is known to be 99.8% effective. The disadvantages of this method is, that it is not reversible, which mean a father can never have a child. Other than thatm is the pills, which is widely used by most women.   According to the Center for Young Women's Health, hormonal methods of birth control, like the pill, can cause side effects for some women. These side effects can include nausea, headache, slight weight gain and in rare cases, stroke or heart attack. So, there are the disadvantages of birth control on health. One should be more careful on which birth control they are choosing as some are dangerous.  

 Now let’s view on what birth control is in Islam. In Islam marriage is encouraged, and the main purpose of marriage in Islam is to have children. But there are times when a couple may not want to have children. So what are the Islamic views on contraception and birth control? In general, most forms of contraception and birth control are forbidden. But since Islam is a complete religion, we have the benefit of the Quran, the hadith and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the companions, and many learned scholars to help us come to an informed decision. First, in Islam any sort of permanent birth control that is not for medical reasons is forbidden. So any medical procedure that leads to complete sterilization and is not medically required, is not allowed. This goes against the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad and if not done for medical reasons, is usually done for vain, selfish or impractical purpose. For instance, some people have the foolish notion that the world is becoming overpopulated and the earth’s resources are running out. But Allah has made His earth bountiful, and if we trust in Him, there is certainly enough food and water and air to go around. Wherever there is starvation in the world, there is needless gluttony and waste elsewhere. So the problem is not a lack of resource but a lack of compassion for those who are less fortunate than us.  

What are the rulings of the method of birth controls in Islam? First of all, the surgical contraception such as vasectomy and hysterectomy. Vasectomy  is not permissible for a man to have a vasectomy. There is no medical reason that warrants such a procedure. Hence, every reputable scholar in Islam has ruled that vasectomies are haram, or forbidden. The only reason a man would want to have such a procedure is to have sex without the responsibility of rearing children. As for hysterectomy, it is not permissible for women for any reason except where getting pregnant may endanger her life. So, if having children may kill the mother, and there is no hope of curing or reversing this condition, then it is permissible for her to have her uterus removed. Next is temporary birth control, in Islam, these methods are usually prohibited unless there is a medical reason for doing so and the husband agrees. And what about physical contraceptions like condoms or sperm ejaculation? Well, there is a hadith related by Jaabir that says: 

“We used to engage in coitus interruptus at the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). News of that reached the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and he did not forbid us to do that”. [Related by Bukhari and Muslim]

From the above hadith, we can see that our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not forbid coitus interruptus, hence it is permissible. Since condoms and diaphragms essentially perform the same function, they are both also allowed. However, the man should only use these methods in agreement with his wife as she has the right to bear children if she wants, should not cause permanent sterility and should not otherwise harm the body. And we should also understand that the companions of Prophet Muhammad usually used this method to prevent their slaves from getting pregnant, as the following hadith shows:

“O Messenger of Allah, I have a slave woman and I engage in ‘azl with her, because I do not want her to get pregnant, but I want what men want. But the Jews say that ‘azl is a lesser form of infanticide.” He said, “The Jews are lying. If Allah wants to create (a child) you cannot prevent that”.[Narrated by Abu Dawud]

Despite being allowed, many scholars believe these methods to be makruh, or disliked. In other words, it is better to avoid them if possible, though there is no sin in them. This comes from the following hadith:

“Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will be proud of your great number before the other nations on the Day of Resurrection.”[Narrated by Abu Dawud]

From this we can see that it is better for us to have as many children as Allah allows us to bear. In today’s world we deal with many things that were not present during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).  

Now let’s look at other religion’s view on birth control. First Christians, Prior to the 20th century, contraception was generally condemned by all the major branches of Christianity (the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism) including the major reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin. However, among Christian denominations today there is a large variety of positions towards contraception. Among Christian denominations today there are a large variety of positions towards contraception. The Roman Catholic Church has disallowed artificial contraception for as far back as one can historically trace. Contraception was also officially disallowed by non-Catholic Christians until 1930 when the Anglican Communion changed its policy. Soon after, most Protestant groups came to accept the use of modern contraceptives as a matter of Biblically allowable freedom of conscience. According to the American Enterprise Institute, 78% of Catholics say they believe the Church should allow Catholics to use birth control. As for Protestantism, they are also different views on birth control. Some said that it is not allowed, that they don’t accept all birth control methods even natural family planning. Protestant movements view contraception use outside of marriage as encouragement to promiscuity (casual sex).  

However, in current Christian views, The Catholic Church's position on contraception was formally explained and expressed by Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae in 1968. In justification of this position,  "Responsible men can become more deeply convinced of the truth of the doctrine laid down by the Church on this issue if they reflect on the consequences of methods and plans for artificial birth control. Let them first consider how easily this course of action could open wide the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards. Not much experience is needed to be fully aware of human weakness and to understand that human beings—and especially the young, who are so exposed to temptation—need incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law. Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection." [Pope Paul VI]  

How about the views from Hinduism? Well, there are no ban in birth control.  Some Hindu scriptures include advice on what a couple should do to promote conception, thus providing contraceptive advice to those who want it. However most Hindus accept that there is a duty to have a family during the householder stage of life, and so are unlikely to use contraception to avoid having children altogether. Because India has such a large and dense population, much of the discussion of birth control has focused on the environmental issue of overpopulation rather than more personal ethics, and birth control is not a major ethical issue. Lastly, Judaism, the Jewish’s view on birth control currently varies between the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform which is branches of Judaism. Conservative Judaism, while generally encouraging its members to follow the traditional Jewish views on birth control has been more willing to allow greater exceptions regarding its use to fit better within modern society. Reform Judaism has generally been the most liberal with regard to birth control allowing individual followers to use their own judgment in what, if any, birth control methods they might wish to employ. Many modern Jews feel that the benefits of contraception, be they female health, family stability, or disease prevention, uphold the commandment in Judaism to "choose life" much more strongly than they violate the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply".  

Most other religions do not engage in this discussion; for example, Sikhs have no objection to birth control, and in Buddhism there is no widely recognized policy on birth control. Now we can see that Islam is a complete and a whole religion. On how every single thing in life is explained very well in the Quran and Hadiths. On what is right and wrong. Which is allowable and which is not. Clearly, Allah’s knows best. Islam prohibits any kind of actions that can harm the human being. As we can see how other religions look at this topic, their point of view varies. The ancient views are usually different then the views of their followers nowadays. Even the ruling on certain things aren’t clearly stated. Why? Well, it is because they don’t have one basic guidance that they can depend on. Unlike Islam, we have Quran, hadiths and the Prophet’s sunnahs to follow that guides believers on life and afterlife. So Muslims should not doubt the Quran or even Allah. Allah the Most High says:

“This day I have perfected for you your religion, and have completed my blessings upon you, and I am pleased in (having chosen) Al-Islam for you as your (complete) religion”. [05:03] 

Nonetheless, we have the guidance of the Quran, sunnah, and righteous scholars to help us find our way through these difficult situations. In the end, we must all put our faith and trust in Allah, and ask His guidance and forgiveness in any decisions we make. Islam truly is a complete religion.