As-salamu ` alaykum. I have been in a confused situation i hope you can show guide me to better understanding. My mother has been having an 8 cm fibroid in her uterus. Doctor told us to remove the uterus if we are not hoping for more children we should rather just take the uterus off. It is true that my mother is not hoping for more children being concerned for her health – she has an umbilical hernia which gets bigger in each pregnancy also she has thyroid problems so the prospect of having children would come with health risks.

So is it wrong that my mom is controlling birth? Also, about the fibroid; if we take off the fibroid alone then there are chances of the fibroid returning. She already had major surgeries in the past so she is hoping that if we take the uterus off then we don’t have to worry about the fibroid returning. Is it wrong to take the uterus off?

All praise be to Allah and may His peace and blessings be on His final messenger, Muhammad.

There is no harm in removing the uterus in your mother’s case, if it is medically warranted. (I would get a second opinion though to confirm that). This will not be a case of permanent sterilization, which is categorically forbidden, since the motive here and the justification is completely different.

Birth control for health concerns is also a legitimate practice, as long as the method used doesn’t cause more harm than the potential harm of pregnancy.

May Allah give your mother a speedy and complete recovery.