Is Engaging in Coitus Interruptus Allowed in Islam?

Engaging in coitus interruptus in Islam

It is permissible to engage in coitus interruptus if a person does not want a child, and it is also permissible to use a condom , but that is subject to the condition that the wife gives her permission for that. This is because the wife has the right to full enjoyment and also to have a child. 

Evidence for engaging in coitus interruptus 

The evidence for that is the hadith of Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: We used to engage in coitus interruptus at the time of the Messenger of Allah. News of that reached the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and he did not forbid us to do that. Narrated by al-Bukhari, 250; Muslim, 160 

Coitus interruptus: The secret burying alive of children

Although that is permitted, it is nevertheless makruh and intensely disliked. Muslim (1442) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about coitus interruptus and he said: “That is the secret burying alive of infants.” This indicates that it is strongly disliked. 

Al-Nawawi said: 

“Coitus interruptus means intercourse in which, when ejaculation approaches, the man withdraws and ejaculates outside the vagina. It is makruh in our view in all circumstances and with all women, whether the woman consents to that or not, because it is a means of preventing offspring. Hence in the hadith it is called “the secret burying alive of children,” because it cuts off the means of producing offspring, like killing a newborn by burying him or her alive. With regard to it being haram, our companions said that it was not forbidden… 

These ahadith and others, when taken in conjunction, may be understood as meaning that it is makruh, but not strongly so, and the reports in which permission is given for that may be understood as meaning that it is not haram; they do not mean that it is not makruh.”  

It is better for the Muslim not to do that, unless there is a need for it, such as if the woman is sick and cannot cope with a pregnancy or it would be too difficult for her or would cause her harm. Also, coitus interruptus cancels out one of the purposes of marriage, which is to have a lot of children, and it also means that the woman’s pleasure is incomplete.