Surgical Procedures for Permanent Birth Control

Question

Is there a religious issue with surgical procedures aimed at permanently preventing pregnancy if agreed upon by the couple?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Permanent prevention of childbirth is divided into two categories:

First: Procedures that cause significant harm to either the man or the woman, such as the removal of certain reproductive organs.

Second: Procedures that do not cause significant harm, such as tying the fallopian tubes in women or tying the vas deferens in men.

The first category is not permissible in itself; however, if there is a medical condition that necessitates the removal of certain reproductive organs, such as the uterus, it is permissible for that reason, not merely to prevent childbirth.

As for the second category, it is permissible in itself, but it usually requires exposing parts of the body to a doctor of the opposite gender, which is not allowed in cases of choice—such as exposing one's private parts—thus making it impermissible from this perspective. Additionally, the hardship resulting from having multiple children, if not severe to the point of being unbearable, does not justify committing the aforementioned prohibition.

* The fallopian tube is a tube connecting the ovary to the uterus.

Source: Official Website

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

It is permissible to utilize surgical procedures and other means to prevent pregnancy if four conditions are met:

1- The purpose of preventing pregnancy must be rational and considered justifiable by common social standards.

2- The means of prevention should not cause significant harm to the wife.

3- Obtaining the husband's permission is obligatory as a precaution.

4- The means should not involve prohibited touching or looking.

If these conditions are met, permanent abstention from pregnancy is permissible.

Source: Official Website, Medical Rulings, Q1 + Fiqh of the Guardian: Rulings on Pregnancy

May you be successful in all good.