Is it permissible for me with my condition to have a sterilization done?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Sister in Islam,

Indeed, children are one of the greatest gifts one can receive in life. This is a blessing Almighty Allah bestows upon whom he wishes. You are extremely blessed and fortunate to have four children. We make Dua Almighty Allah keep you all hale and healthy. Aameen.

In principle, non-reversible sterilization operations for males (vasectomy) and females (tubal ligation) are not permissible.[1]

Varicose veins and DVT are not fatal or harmful to the mother and child if treated appropriately. You should not fear falling pregnant and becoming too ill to look after your family. Remember, Almighty Allah will never burden a soul with more than it can bear. If you do fall pregnant in the future, you may request other family members to help you in your work. You will find your husband to be supportive in this time of need.

Alternatively, you may consult a medical practitioner to prescribe a reversible contraceptive method which will not be harmful to your health. Your husband may also consider using contraceptives.

Varicose veins are a common, usually harmless part of pregnancy for some women. Varicose veins tend to be hereditary and can become itchy, uncomfortable, or even painful at times.[2]

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is caused by a blood clot that forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, typically in the legs. DVT can be fatal if left undiagnosed or untreated.[3]

Respected Sister,

We cannot imagine the pains and difficulties a woman undergoes during pregnancy. However, always remember that Almighty Allah does not let any difficulty go by unrewarded. Even if a thorn pricks one, Almighty Allah will expiate thereby some sins, and the pains of labor and pregnancy are far greater than that. Imagine the rewards that lay in store for a pregnant woman.

Pregnancy is also a great act of Ibaadah. When a woman is performing Salaah, she is engaged in Ibaadah only while she is in Salaah. Once the Salaah is over, she is not engaged in the Ibadah of Salaah. The form of worship in pregnancy is unique.

A pregnant woman carrying a child in her womb and overcoming all the challenges that come with the pregnancy such as nausea, hormonal imbalances, mood swings, diet imbalances etc. are all acts of Ibaadah throughout her term of pregnancy.

For a full nine months, each second is counted to be an Ibaadah for a pregnant woman.

Respected Sister,

Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It is a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers.[4]

With the right support, which can include self-help strategies and therapy, most women make a full recovery.

It is extremely important to seek adequate help to combat the depression. Many help and support groups exist, consisting of women afflicted with the challenges. You should also explain to your husband what you are going through, Insha-Allah, his support will hasten the path to recovery.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Bilal Yusuf Pandor

Student Darul Iftaa

Lusaka, Zambia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

الأصل للشيباني ط قطر (4/ 18) [1]

محمد عن أبي يوسف عن ليث بن سعد عن توبة بن نمر الحضرمي عن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أنه قال: "لا خصاء في الإسلام ولا كنيسة"

شرح مختصر الطحاوي للجصاص (8/ 561)

قال: (وكره أبو حنيفة رحمه الله كسب الخصيان، وملكهم، واستخدامهم).

لأنهم لولا رغبة الناس فيهم لما أخصوا، فكان في اقتنائهم معونة على إخصائهم، وذلك مثلة ومحرم، لقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لا إخصاء في الإسلام"

الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (388/6)

أَمَّا خِصَاءُ الْآدَمِيِّ فَحَرَامٌ

عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري (208/18)

قَوْله: (أَلا نختصي)، من خصاه إِذا نزع خصيته يخصيه خصاءً. قَوْله: (فنهانا عَن ذَلِك)، يَعْنِي: عَن الاختصاء، وَفِيه تَحْرِيم الاختصاء لما فِيهِ من تَغْيِير خلق الله تَعَالَى، وَلما فِيهِ من قطع النَّسْل

الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي (372/4)

ولا يعزل عن زوجته إلا بإذنها... لأن الوطء حق الحرة قضاء للشهوة وتحصيلا للولد

المحيط البرهاني في الفقه النعماني (373/5)

الاستشفاء بالمحرم إنما لا يجوز إذا لم يعلم أن فيه شفاءً؛ أما إذا علم أن فيه شفاء، وليس له دواء آخر غيره فيجوز الاستشفاء به؛ ألا ترى إلى ما ذكر محمد رحمه الله في كتاب الأشربة إذا خاف الرجل على نفسه العطش، ووجد الخمر شربها إن كان يدفع عطشه؛ لكن يشرب بقدر ما يرويه ويدفع عطشه، ولا يشرب للزيادة على الكفاية

الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (228/5)

قَالَ فِي النِّهَايَةِ: وَفِي التَّهْذِيبِ يَجُوزُ لِلْعَلِيلِ شُرْبُ الْبَوْلِ وَالدَّمِ وَالْمَيْتَةِ لِلتَّدَاوِي إذَا أَخْبَرَهُ طَبِيبٌ مُسْلِمٌ أَنَّ فِيهِ شِفَاءَهُ وَلَمْ يَجِدْ مِنْ الْمُبَاحِ مَا يَقُومُ مَقَامَه

[2] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/veins.html

[3] https://www.everydayhealth.com/deep-vein-thrombosis/guide/

[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-natal-depression/