Muslim Teaching on Contraception (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
Written by: Angela Yates
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Muslim Teachings about Family Planning
What Are Muslim Teachings and Attitudes About Family Planning?
Family planning is when a couple makes decisions about when to have children and uses forms of contraception to avoid pregnancy when they are trying to avoid having children
Because the written teachings in Islam are so old, they contain very little direct guidance on the use of contraception, but Muslim scholars use key ideas and teachings about life to help them guide people on these issues today
Islam is pro-life and sees children as a blessing from Allah
Therefore any form of birth control could be seen as interfering with Allah’s plan for the world because it prevents a life from developing
‘God has control of the heavens and the earth; He creates whatever He will – He grants female offspring to whoever he will, male to whoever He will, or both male and female, and He makes whoever He will barren: He is all knowing and all powerful.’
(Qur’an, Surah 42:49-50)
The Qur’an also teaches that Allah provides for everyone’s needs, and so many would say that contraception because of financial worries about raising a child is not acceptable
‘Do not kill your children for fear of poverty – We shall provide for them and for you – killing them is a great sin’
(Qur’an, Surah 17:31)
The idea that all life is part of God’s plan is supported in the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari which gives some guidance on the coitus interruptus method of contraception from the Prophet Muhammad
‘What is your opinion about coitus interruptus? The Prophet said, “Do you really do that? It is better for you not to do it. No soul that which Allah has destined to exist, but will surely come into existence.”’
(Sahih al-Bukhari 34:432)
However, this is contradicted later in the same work which suggests that it was commonly practised during the time of Muhammad
‘We used to practice coitus interruptus during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle while the Qur’an was being revealed’
(Sahih al-Bukhari 62:136)
Many say that temporary and reversible forms of contraception are acceptable within a marriage
For example, if a woman has just had a child, the use of contraception would be allowed for up to two years because of the guidance in the Qur’an
‘Mothers suckle their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the term… No one should be burdened with more than they can bear: no mother shall be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor any father on account of his’
(Qur’an, Surah 2:233)
Divergent Muslim Attitudes Towards Contraception & Family Planning
Divergent Muslim Attitudes Towards Contraception And Family Planning
Although Islam is pro-life, some Muslim authorities may allow the use of contraception in certain cases
Reasons why Muslims might justify the use of contraception include
To preserve the life of the mother if her life would be in danger through a pregnancy
If the child conceived might inherit a serious illness from the parent
To protect the well-being of the current family unit and not put too much strain on it by having another child
If they feel couples should be trusted to make their own decisions about planning their own family and use contraception to help them plan their children responsibly
Although most Muslims would accept the use of contraception for these reasons, they would only agree with non-permanent forms
Permanent forms of contraception should be used only if the woman’s health or life is at risk from conception
They would also accept the use of contraception only within a marriage as that is the only correct place for sexual intercourse
Reasons why some Muslims would not accept contraception at all include
Only natural contraception methods should be used (many feel that this is the teaching promoted in the Qur’an and Hadith)
Some methods of contraception prevent a pregnancy developing rather than starting and this might be considered a form of abortion
Having children is part of Allah’s plan for humans and using contraception prevents Allah’s intentions
Sex without the possibility of procreation is sex without purpose if permanent methods of contraception have been used
Islam & Non-Religious Attitudes Towards Contraception & Family Planning
Non-Religious Attitudes Towards Contraception & Family Planning & Muslim Response
For many non-religious people such as atheists and humanists, there are no religious teachings to prevent them from using contraception and family planning
Therefore various methods of contraception are widely used in society for many reasons
Muslim Response to Non-Religious Attitudes Towards Contraception & Family Planning
Reasons why couples might use contraception in non-religious communities | Muslim response to non-religious attitudes |
|---|---|
They can plan their family to suit their circumstances | Some Muslims agree with this but others do not think it is acceptable |
Pregnancy might endanger the mother’s life or health | This is acceptable to preserve the mother’s life |
People want to have sex to express their love for someone but without wanting a child | This is acceptable within marriage to most Muslims if having another child would put too much strain on the family unit |
It prevents STIs (sexually transmitted infections) | This should not arise: the only correct place for sex is within a marriage |
It prevents genetic conditions being passed to the child | Most Muslims would agree with this reason |
Ethical Theories & Muslim Responses
Ethical Theories & Contraception
Some people adopt ethical theories to help them make decisions about moral issues like contraception
One ethical theory is situation ethics which focuses on what the most loving thing to do in the situation would be
In the case of contraception, the situation ethicist would ask what is the most loving action to take?
For example, if a couple are struggling financially or emotionally with the idea of having another child, the most loving thing might be to allow them to use contraception to plan their family in the way that they can prepare for and cope with
Muslim Response To Ethical Theories
Muslims may differ in their response to the situation ethics approach
Many would share this attitude towards contraception and family planning, because they would want all children to be wanted and loved and brought up according to Muslim teachings
Other Muslims would take the view that Allah will provide what the couple needs and therefore they should put aside worries about the cost of raising a child
Worked Example
Outline three Muslim attitudes towards contraception
(3 marks)
Answer:
Muslims believe life is a gift from Allah and contraception interferes with this (1 mark)
Muslims would allow contraception if the mother’s life is at risk from pregnancy (1 mark)
Muslims would allow temporary birth control after the birth of a child (1 mark)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you are familiar with explaining the types of contraception discussed here. Some forms of contraception are considered permanent because they are difficult to reverse, such as a vasectomy. Others are temporary, such as the pill or condom, and these are considered more acceptable to Muslims because the couple can still have children at a later time
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