[Q 323] The Ruling of Treating Irregular Bleeding Through Mirena Coil

Question

What is the ruling on a woman using the Mirena coil? The doctor has suggested it due to irregular bleeding.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

Mirena coil is a T-shaped device made from either copper or plastic. It releases a hormone called Levonorgestrel, which is manufactured in a lab using various natural chemicals. It is not derived from any animal or human source. This hormone is generally used for temporary contraception. From this perspective, there is no inherent Islamic objection to Mirena coil itself.

However, since this coil is placed inside the woman’s uterus, the procedure is delicate and is only to be performed by an expert doctor. This requires exposing one’s private parts to a stranger, which is Haram without a valid reason.

Since irregular bleeding can be treated with other medications, using the Mirena coil method is usually Haram and a sinful act.

A doctor is only allowed to see someone’s private parts when there is an absolute necessity, and if alternative treatments exist, the necessity is not established. Hence, using the Mirena coil method is Haram.

The ruling here is akin to the ruling of an enema (huqnah), which is only permissible when it will prove to be fatal to not take this particular treatment; otherwise, the necessity is not established and exposing one’s private parts without necessity is Haram.

Note: If there is a specific situation where no other treatment options are available, please provide a detailed explanation and ask the question again for a more specific ruling.

Mirena Coil:

This is a small, flexible device that is placed in the womb (uterus) to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in women who choose to use this birth control method. The device slowly releases a hormone (levonorgestrel) that is similar to a hormone that women normally make. This device and hormone help prevent pregnancy. Your health care provider can remove this device whenever you want to stop using this method of birth control.

(https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20420/mirena-intrauterine/details)

In a Hadith narrated by Imam Hasan رضي الله تعالى عنه, it is reported:

 “بلغني أن رسول الله صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلم قال: ‘لعن الله الناظر والمنظور إليه'”.

 Translation: “It has reached me that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said:

“Allah brings ruin upon the one who looks (at the private parts of others) and upon the one who is looked at.'”

(Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi, Vol. 7, Page 159, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut)

Under this Hadith, Mirqat al-Mafatih states:

“This Hadith is somewhat general; it means that any man who deliberately and unnecessarily looks at a non-related woman is damned, and any woman who deliberately and unnecessarily shows herself to a non-related man is also damned. Therefore, three conditions must be fulfilled: looking at a non-related woman, without necessity, and deliberately.”

(Mirqat al-Mafatih, Vol. 5, Hadith No. 3125)

In al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, it is stated:

 “والنظر إلى العورة حرام إلا عند الضرورة”

 (Al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, Book of Karahiyah, Vol. 4, Page 154, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut).

In Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, it is mentioned:

 أن الحقنة إنما تجوز عند الضرورة، وإذا لم يكن ثمة ضرورة ولكن فيها منفعة ظاهرة بأن يتقوى بسببها على الجماع لا يحل عندنا، وإذا كان به هزال، فإن كان هزال يخشى منه التلف يحل، وما لا فلا، كذا في الذخيرة.

(Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, Book of Prohibitions and Permissions, Vol. 7, Page 407, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut)

Fatawa Ridawiyyah states:

“Exposing private parts in front of people is Haram.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 3, Page 306, Raza Academy, Mumbai)

Answered by: Mufti Sajid Attari 

Translated answer

Date: 5th July 2024