Sterilization of females

27-3-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, I want to know if sterilization of females (meant to be a non-reversible contraception surgical technique). However, it is reversible in 40% of females. Is it Halal or not?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

Basically a male is not permitted to examine or treat alien females except if there is no female doctor or a Mahram doctor for such females.  If both are not available and the female patients are in dire necessity then a male doctor can treat female patients to fulfill the necessity.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…But if one is forced by necessity without willful disobedience nor transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him….}[2:173].

It is strictly forbidden to use any medication or any means that could prevent a person permanently from giving birth.  Therefore, we say that if there is no dire necessity it is strictly forbidden to eradicate the ability of giving birth.

The dire necessity means that the mother’s life is in great danger if she continues her pregnancy or some trustworthy and skillful doctors strongly believe that the future pregnancies may put the life of the mother at severe danger then it is permissible to get sterilized only to protect the existing life, that is the life of the mother rather than the life of future babies which still do not exist.

Allah knows best.