Religious Teachings on Contraception in Shiite Islam Influence Sexual Autonomy, Marital Negotiation, and Relational Trust
By Anonymous Teacher
Shiites are members of a Muslim sect that believes in Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, as the rightful successor to the Prophet's leadership after his death. Their religious teachings influence many aspects of their lives, including marriage and contraception. According to Shiite teachings, couples must abstain from sexual intercourse for up to ten days during menstruation and before and after childbirth.
They should avoid seminal ejaculation outside the vagina, even if there is no risk of pregnancy. The reasons for this include the prohibition of wasting sperm and preventing harm to the woman's womb.
This article will explore how these teachings affect marital negotiation, sexual autonomy, and relational trust among Shiites who practice contraception. It begins by discussing the role of religion in personal decision-making about sex and intimacy. Next, it examines the impact of religious teaching on sexual autonomy within marriage, followed by an exploration of how contraception may affect trust between spouses.
The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of religious teachings for relationships beyond marriage.
Religion and Personal Decision-Making about Sex
Religious beliefs play a significant role in people's decisions regarding sex and intimacy. Many faiths promote abstinence or fidelity until marriage and often restrict certain types of sexual activities, such as homosexuality or adultery.
Catholicism teaches that sexual activity is only appropriate within the bounds of marriage and promotes natural family planning methods rather than birth control. This can be challenging when a couple wants to have children but cannot afford to support them financially. Similarly, Islamic teachings emphasize marital loyalty and chastity, which can make it difficult to divorce or separate. These restrictions can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and stigma around sexual behavior and limit options for pleasure and intimacy.
Sexual Autonomy Within Marriage
According to Shiite religious teachings, couples should engage in sexual intercourse only during their fertile period and refrain from seminal ejaculation outside the vagina. This rule is designed to ensure that babies are conceived through natural means and prevent harm to the woman's womb. It also preserves the purity and sanctity of married life and limits sexual opportunities outside of marriage.
This restriction can limit a couple's ability to explore different types of sex, experiment with positions, or try new things. In addition, some couples may feel pressure to conform to societal norms about sexual behavior and avoid non-traditional practices like anal or oral sex. This can affect their overall satisfaction with the relationship and sense of freedom.
Contraception and Trust Between Spouses
The use of contraception can create tension between spouses if one person feels betrayed by the other's lack of trust.
If a man uses condoms without informing his wife, she may feel like he doesn't trust her to control her own body or has doubts about her fidelity. Conversely, if a woman takes birth control pills without telling her husband, he may feel like she doesn't value his input on family planning decisions or wants to hide something. These concerns can be amplified if the couple follows a religion that discourages contraception, as they may view it as disrespectful to God's will.
Religion Outside Marriage
Religious teachings on contraception can impact relationships beyond marriage. Couples who use birth control may feel more confident in their decision-making and less vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies. They may also have fewer children and be able to invest in other areas of their lives, such as education or career advancement.
This choice may lead to feelings of guilt or shame among Shiites who believe that God intended for every child to be conceived naturally.
Those who don't practice contraception may view them as promiscuous or irresponsible.
Shiite religious teaching on contraception influences sexual autonomy, marital negotiation, and relational trust within marriages. While these restrictions can limit options for pleasure and intimacy, they also preserve the sanctity and purity of married life. Contraceptive use outside of marriage can create tension between spouses and affect how they view each other's choices.
Couples must weigh their personal beliefs and desires against societal norms and religious teachings when making decisions about sex and intimacy.
How do religious teachings on contraception in Shiite Islam influence sexual autonomy, marital negotiation, and relational trust?
The religious teaching on contraception in Shiite Islam is based on the Quranic verse 2:187 which states that "They (the believers) are not allowed to marry women who already have husbands until they have divorced them properly" (Qarib, 2014). This verse implies that Muslim men cannot engage in extramarital relationships with married women because it contradicts the sacredness of marriage.