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Here’s What Islam Says About Marrying Women Who Cannot Conceive

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According to World Health Organisation (WHO), about 15% of the couples are affected by infertility globally. Unfortunately, most of the couples don’t prefer any treatment or diagnosis as another social stigma is attached to it. In this modern era, there are many well-educated and settled families who still consider infertility as an issue of honor and blamed the partner for it, actually the women in most of the cases!

There is a misconception in our society that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) has prohibited Muslim men to marry infertile women in a hadith which is as follows,

It was narrated that Ma’qil bin Yasar said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah and said: ‘I have found a woman who is from a good family and of good status, but she does not bear children, should I marry her?’ He told him not to. Then he came to him a second time and he told him not to (marry her). Then he came to him a third time and he told him not to (marry her), then he said: ‘Marry the one who is fertile and loving, for I will boast of your great numbers.’  (Sunan an-Nasai, Volume 2, hadith 3229)

Islamic scholars explained this hadith in detail that,

Source: Indigo Women’s Center

1. This hadith was revealed when Muslims were small in number and for the growth of Ummah, it was necessary to marry fertile women.

2. Holy Prophet (PBUH) didn’t make it obligatory, it is mustahab to marry a fertile woman.

3. If this is the status; to marry a fertile woman, it is the same for a woman too. Almighty Allah says in Holy Quran that,

Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent. (Surah Shuraa, verse 50)

Source: AltMuslimah

So, giving a reference to this hadith for own purpose is not only unjust but also shows a misogynistic mindset. We, as Muslims, consider the wives of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Ummahat ul Momineen – Mothers of believers, but do we know that most of them were infertile? And how could we forget Bibi Asiya, the wife of Pharaon who didn’t conceive children in her life? But Allah praised her in Holy Quran in these words.

And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.” (Surah Tehreem, verse 11)

In the light of above hadiths and verses, it is not allowed to degrade or demean Muslim women who can’t bear children, they should be considered as worthy Muslims if they are virtuous and productive members of the society. It is all because of Allah’s will who is the Creator.

then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators. (Surah Mominoon, verse 14)

And verily Allah knows the best.

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