Is Contraception Forbidden In Islam? Part I

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There are various opinions put forward by Muslims on the subject of contraception or in other words, using birth control. What has been emphasized in Islam is to have many children as possible. This is based on the following hadith
Prophet (sallallaahu ýalaihi-wasallam) said, 

'Marry the child-bearing, loving women for I shall outnumber the peoples by you on the Day of Resurrection 
( Abu Dawud and Nasai graded sahih by Albani in Irwa)

In the above hadith the prophet(sal) encouraged the muslim ummah to marry child bearing women and the below hadith also emphasizes this importance.
 
Ma’qil ibn Yasaar said: A man came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I have found a woman who is from a good family and is beautiful, but she does not bear children; should I marry her?” He told him not to. Then he came to him a second time and said something similar and he told him not to marry her. Then he came to him a third time and said something similar and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Marry the one who is loving and fertile, for I will be proud of your great numbers.” (Abu Dawud-classed as sahih by Albani)

The prophet (sal) forbade the man to marry the women and told him to marry the one who is fertile and loving. The above mentioned hadith also gives the importance of having a large population. The larger the population the stronger it is. Allah(swt) says in the Quran

"And We helped you with wealth and children and made you more numerous in man-power” (Al Quran 17:6)

Having many children is a gift from Allah and it is also something for a muslim to be proud of. Based on these hadiths it is evident that Islam encourages a muslim to have many children. Killing ones child in fear of poverty is forbidden in Islam. Allah(swt) says

"And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin"(17:31)

But the question arises whether it is completely haram to use birth control?
Let's analyse this question further in the next chapter.

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