What is the ruling on Al-'Azl (coitus interruptus)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Wedding Feast
Primary text
Al-'Azl, which means withdrawing before ejaculation so that semen is released outside the vagina, is disliked (makruh). This dislike is narrated from Umar, Ali, Ibn Umar, and Ibn Mas'ud, and also from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq. The basis for this dislike is that it involves reducing the offspring and depriving the woman being intimate of pleasure. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged procreation, stating, "Marry, procreate, and multiply," and adding, "A black, fertile woman is better than a beautiful, barren one." This act is permitted, however, if there is a necessity or need.
Supporting text
A concession (rukhsah) permitting Al-'Azl is narrated from Ali, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Ayyub, Zayd ibn Thabit, Jabir, Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan ibn Ali, Khabbab ibn Al-Aratt, Sa'id ibn Al-Musayyab, Tawus, 'Ata', An-Nakha'i, Malik, Ash-Shafi'i, and the companions of the opinion (Ashab ar-Ra'y). Al-'Azl is permissible if there is a need, such as when residing in enemy territory requiring temporary caution, or if the wife is a slave woman whose child would also be a slave, or if one has a slave woman whom he needs to have intercourse with but intends to sell.