Does the use of an epidural for pain relief during childbirth diminish the reward of childbirth?
If discontinuing medication poses a danger to the life of the mother and the fetus, then it is not permissible to stop it, based on the Almighty’s saying: "And do not kill yourselves." However, if there is no harm, then the woman has a choice, and refraining from treatment is better because it was the state of the prophets and the righteous, as elaborated by Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, citing the cases of the black woman, Job (peace be upon him), and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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