Family planning is not new in Islam — the Prophet's companions practised azl (withdrawal). Here is the complete Islamic and medical guide to halal contraception.
Contraception is permissible in Islam with the consent of both spouses. The majority position of scholars across all four madhabs is: temporary contraception for legitimate reasons is halal. Reasons include: health of the mother, financial capacity, spacing children, completing education, and mutual agreement. Permanently preventing all children (sterilisation without medical necessity) is strongly discouraged or prohibited by most scholars.
Condoms: Halal by scholarly consensus. Equivalent to azl (the withdrawal method practised by the Sahabah). Provides contraception and STI protection within marriage for couples where one partner has an infection.
Diaphragm/cervical cap: Halal — same principle as condoms.
Combined oral contraceptive pill: Halal by majority scholarly consensus as it prevents fertilisation (ovulation suppression). Some scholars have reservations about methods that may prevent implantation.
Progestogen-only pill ("mini-pill"): Halal — primarily works by preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus.
Injectable contraception (Depo-Provera): Halal under same principles.
Hormonal IUD (Mirena): More scholarly debate — works primarily through local hormonal effects but may also affect implantation. Consult your madhab's scholars for a ruling you are comfortable with.
The copper IUD works primarily by preventing fertilisation (copper is spermicidal) but may also affect implantation. More conservative scholars prohibit it on this basis; others permit it. Effective, hormone-free, and long-acting. Discuss with a scholar whose opinion you trust.
The "morning after pill" works primarily by preventing or delaying ovulation. Most scholars who have studied the medical mechanism permit it within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse if used to prevent pregnancy (not after confirmed pregnancy). Opinions differ — consult a qualified scholar.
Sterilisation (tubal ligation, vasectomy) without medical necessity is generally considered haram by the majority of scholars — it permanently alters Allah's creation without legitimate need. In cases of life-threatening risk from pregnancy, scholars permit it.
IVF using the husband's sperm and wife's eggs within their marriage is generally permitted by scholars, with conditions: no use of third-party sperm or eggs, all embryos created must be treated with respect, and no more embryos created than intended for use. A detailed fatwa from a qualified scholar should be obtained before proceeding. The desire for children is deeply Islamic — assisted reproduction to achieve what nature has made difficult can be a form of trusting in Allah's tools while relying on His decree.