Is the decision not to have children due to a 50% risk of them inheriting a genetic disease considered taking precautions (al-akhdh bil-asbab)? What is the religious guidance (tawjih ash-shar’) in such a case, and would their affliction be a result of our choice to procreate?

Children being afflicted with a hereditary disease transmitted from the parents is by the decree of Allah the Almighty, and it is a possibility that may or may not occur. Contemporary scholars have differed on preventing pregnancy for this reason:

- Some, such as the Permanent Committee for Issuing Fatwas, believe that it is obligatory to rely on Allah and proceed with procreation, because the ordering of effects from causes is dependent on Allah.

- While others, such as the Jordanian Dar al-Ifta and Dr. Muhammad Uthman Shubair, deem it permissible to temporarily limit procreation if it is highly probable that a hereditary disease will be transmitted to the child, or if there is a confirmed danger to the mother's life, or if there is already sick offspring, whether physically or mentally, provided that this is done with a temporary and not permanent contraceptive method.

- Permanent sterilization is not permissible for fear of children contracting a hereditary disease, because that is merely a possibility, and the permissible alternative is temporary contraceptives.