𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (498)

Is a Woman Sinful for Avoiding Pregnancy Due to Severe Illness? Question: When I become pregnant, I become severely ill to the point that I must be hospitalised, and I develop an aversion to my home and children. I have given birth to eight children, then I used a contraceptive method, and I have been using it for seven years. The doctors did not prohibit me from becoming pregnant. Am I sinful for this? Sheikh Yahya ḥafidhahullāh: If she is harmed by pregnancy, then she incurs no sin. However, we advise her not to permanently prevent pregnancy, nor to completely cut it off, due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: “Marry, for I will boast of your great numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection,” and his saying ﷺ: “When a person dies, his deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” A person—man or woman—does not know from where the child who will pray for him may come, whether Allāh has already granted such a child or may create one in the future. [Allāh ﷻ said] “Your fathers and your sons—you do not know which of them is nearer to you in benefit.” Thus, the point is that if she is capable of continuing to bear children, then that is better for her. But if this becomes too difficult for her to bear, “Then fear Allāh as much as you are able,” and she is not sinful, based on the aforementioned Allāh and Allāh’s saying: “Allāh does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”