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What is the ruling on delaying pregnancy for one or two years by agreement and desire of both spouses, and by using contraceptives such as pills after coordinating with the specialist doctor to ensure no harm?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is permissible for a married couple to delay procreation for a specific period for a valid reason and a desired benefit, as long as they do not prevent procreation entirely without necessity. However, it is advisable not to delay procreation, as lifespans are limited, and offspring are a blessing and an adornment of worldly life, and a righteous child is a fruit for the parents in this world and the hereafter. Moreover, a person's deeds cease upon death except for ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who supplicates for them. It is permissible to use contraceptives such as birth control pills if they cause no harm, but it is not permissible to use contraceptives that require exposing one's 'awrah, such as the IUD, if an alternative is available.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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