Short answer
It depends on the reason. Emergency contraception mainly delays ovulation so that a pregnancy does not start. Many Hanafi muftis allow it for a married couple with a valid reason, such as a contraceptive failure when a pregnancy would cause real harm, and more readily after rape. It should not become a routine method, and it never makes zina lighter. Ask a mufti and a doctor.
Preventing a pregnancy from starting is judged like withdrawal, which is allowed for a valid reason. In the first days after intercourse any effect on a possible pregnancy is at its earliest stage, which the Hanafi school treats lightly, so use for a genuine excuse is permitted. Using it without need, as a habit, is disliked.
Other madhhabs
- Maliki
- Anything that ends a pregnancy once the fluid has settled in the womb is forbidden, so a method that may act after fertilisation is avoided.
Explanation
Pills sold as Plan B or the morning-after pill, and similar ones, work mainly by delaying or stopping ovulation. If no egg is released, no pregnancy begins, which puts them close to ordinary contraception. Some sources say they may also affect implantation, though medical opinion on this is mixed. A copper IUD fitted as emergency contraception is more likely to prevent implantation.
The Hanafi school allows temporary contraception for a valid reason, based on azl (withdrawal), which the Companions practised with the Prophet's ﷺ knowledge. The school also treats the very first stage of a pregnancy far more lightly than the stage after the soul is breathed in. On this basis many Deobandi muftis permit emergency contraception when there is a real excuse, for example:
- a condom broke or the pill was missed, and a pregnancy now would seriously harm the wife's health or a nursing baby
- after rape, where it is strongly allowed and should be taken as soon as possible (see abortion after rape)
What scholars warn against:
- using it again and again in place of planned contraception
- thinking it reduces the sin of zina. The sin of zina needs repentance; the pill does not touch it
Your health matters too. Take advice from a qualified doctor or pharmacist on which option suits you and how soon to take it. For the wider rules, see contraception and the pill and the IUD.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:286
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًۭا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ﴿٢٨٦﴾
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."
Real hardship is taken into account in rulings.
Sahih Muslim 1438
Sahih... ما عليكم ألا تفعلوا ...
"There is no harm on you if you do not do it."
The Prophet did not forbid azl, the basis for allowing contraception.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3208
Sahih... إن أحدكم يجمع خلقه في بطن أمه أربعين يوما ...
"The creation of each of you is gathered in his mother's womb for forty days."
The stages of the womb are why the earliest stage is treated more lightly.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Nikah, chapter on the marriage of slaves, on 'azl and ending a pregnancy. Preventing pregnancy is allowed for an excuse, and the earliest stage of pregnancy is treated more lightly.
- Mukhtasar Khalil with al-Sharh al-Kabir, Kitab al-Nikah, on withdrawal and ending a pregnancy. The Maliki view that what has settled in the womb may not be expelled.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.