Use of Drugs to Induce Menstruation

19-7-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am married but want to postpone pregnancy for personal reasons. However, my monthly period is late, and I would like to use pills to induce menstruation. Is this permissible given that it has now been thirty-two days since the end of my previous period?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

In principle, using pills to induce menstruation is permissible although some doctors have highlighted that it can be hazardous to a woman's health. This is because menstrual blood should occur naturally and using drugs to induce menstruation causes changes in its natural course. Indeed, this is perilous to a woman's body.

If it is proven hazardous to a woman's health, then it is impermissible to use because Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): {...And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.} [Quran 4:29] 

In addition, Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm.” [Ahmad and Al-Bayhaqi: authentic]

Moreover, there is the possibility that you are already pregnant due to the delay in your monthly period, and this could lead to an abortion. This would be considered a crime and denying yourself of an act that is recommended in Islam, which is reproduction and having offspring. This is all of course unless there is a necessity to do so.

If it is proven necessary in your condition according to the medical reports of trustworthy specialists indicating that pregnancy is hazardous to your health and should be delayed or prevented, then there is no harm in using these drugs. This is because necessities override religious prohibitions.

Allah knows best.