Please explain whether contraception is valid in Islam.

CONTRACEPTION%0D%0A%0D%0AReversible%0D%0AChemical - the pill which is taken orally spermicidal jellies used locally.%0D%0AMechanical - use of condom intra-uterine device%0D%0APhysical - coitus interruptus rhythm method%0D%0APermanent - sterilization operation - tubal ligations - vasectomies.%0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 1%0D%0AIs the Practice of contraception allowed in Islam? If so, under what%0D%0Acircumstances?%0D%0A%0D%0AAnswer%0D%0AContraception is permissible on a limited scale for valid reasons - reasons%0D%0Aconsidered by the Shari%E1h to be valid. The circumstances which will permit%0D%0Areversible and permanent contraception differ.%0D%0A%0D%0AREVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION%0D%0AAmong the reasons accepted by the Shari%E1h as valid for practising reversible%0D%0Acontraception are:%0D%0A(A) Physical weakness.%0D%0A(B) Sickness.%0D%0A(C) The wife maintaining her beauty or figure for the sake of her husband.%0D%0A(D) The couple being on a journey or in a distant land.%0D%0A(E) Adverse political conditions, e.g. children are forcibly separated from%0D%0Atheir parents as is advocated by communism; etc.%0D%0A(F) The couple decide to separate in the near future.%0D%0A(G) The wife is an immoral person.%0D%0A%0D%0AThere are valid grounds for practising reversible contraception. Poverty or%0D%0Athe fear of poverty are not valid reasons for contraception. It is not%0D%0Apermissible to practice contraception on account of a fear of not being able%0D%0Ato provide for a large family. Such a fear is an attribute of non-Muslims.%0D%0AAccording to the Qur%E3n Shareef: 'There is not a living creature, but its%0D%0Asustenance is the responsibility of Allah.'%0D%0A%0D%0ASimilarly desire to curb sexual desire which may stem out of piety is not a%0D%0Alawful ground for contraception. If practised for any reason which is%0D%0Aunlawful in Islam, then contraception will likewise be unlawful, e.g. for%0D%0Aindulgence in illicit sex.%0D%0A%0D%0APERMANENT CONTRACEPTION%0D%0APermanent contraception is permissible only if the woman's life is in danger%0D%0Aor her health is seriously threatened.%0D%0A%0D%0AAnd Allah Ta%E3la Knows Best.%0D%0A%0D%0AWas salaam%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai%0D%0A