Question:
Is it permissible for a person to undergo vasectomy in order to deprive himself of the ability to produce offspring? Please enlighten us with the Islamic viewpoint on the issue.
باسمه تعالى
Answer:
To undergo vasectomy, in order to deprive oneself of the ability to produce offspring, is impermissible in Islam, as it is a permanent and irreversible birth control method. This method contradicts one of the main purposes of marriage which is to have children. Furthermore, it is an alteration in the creation of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) which is also prohibited in the light of the Holy Quran. Allah almighty says:
وَّ لَاُضِلَّنَّهُمۡ وَ لَاُمَنِّیَنَّهُمۡ وَ لَاٰمُرَنَّهُمۡ فَلَیُبَتِّکُنَّ اٰذَانَ الۡاَنۡعَامِ وَ لَاٰمُرَنَّهُمۡ فَلَیُغَیِّرُنَّ خَلۡقَ اللّٰه وَ مَنۡ یَّتَّخِذِ الشَّیۡطٰنَ وَلِیًّا مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰه فَقَدۡ خَسِرَ خُسۡرَانًا مُّبِیۡنًا
“and I will lead them astray, and I will tempt them with false desires, and I will command them, whereby they shall slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them, whereby they shall alter the creation of Allah.” Whoever takes the Satan for friend, instead of Allah, incurs an obvious loss. (Surah Nisa: 119)
To conclude, vasectomy for the reason stated above will not be permissible in Islam.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Written by:
Mufti Abdullah Nabil
Checked and approved by:
Mufti Sayeedur Rahman
Vice Chairman, Shariah Council Midlands