Muhairiz said “I entered the mosque and saw Abu Sa’id Al Khudri. I sat with him and asked about withdrawing the penis (while having intercourse). Abu Sa’id said We went out with the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) on the expedition to Banu Al Mustaliq and took some Arab women captive and we desired the women for we were suffering from the absence of our wives and we wanted ransom, so we intended to withdraw the penis (while having intercourse with the slave women). But we asked ourselves “can we draw the penis when the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) is among us before asking him about it? So we asked him about it. He said “it does not matter if you do not do it, for very soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.”
Hadith Text & Context
"Muhairiz said: 'I entered the mosque and saw Abu Sa'id Al Khudri. I sat with him and asked about withdrawing the penis (while having intercourse). Abu Sa'id said: We went out with the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) on the expedition to Banu Al Mustaliq and took some Arab women captive and we desired the women for we were suffering from the absence of our wives and we wanted ransom, so we intended to withdraw the penis (while having intercourse with the slave women). But we asked ourselves: can we draw the penis when the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) is among us before asking him about it? So we asked him about it. He said: it does not matter if you do not do it, for very soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.'"
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2172 addresses the practice of 'azl (coitus interruptus) during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Scholarly Commentary on 'Azl
The classical scholars have differed regarding the permissibility of 'azl. Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Malik considered it permissible with the wife's consent, while Imam Shafi'i and Imam Ahmad disliked it but did not prohibit it absolutely.
The Prophet's response indicates that 'azl is not prohibited, as he did not forbid it but rather informed the companions that their actions do not prevent what Allah has decreed regarding creation.
Divine Decree & Human Action
The Prophet's statement "every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born" demonstrates the Islamic belief in divine decree (qadar). Human actions cannot thwart Allah's predetermined creation.
This teaching reinforces the concept that while humans make choices, the ultimate outcome remains in Allah's hands, thus preventing any form of determinism that might lead to negligence in responsibility.
Contextual Understanding
This incident occurred during wartime when Muslim soldiers had lawful access to female captives. The companions demonstrated proper Islamic etiquette by seeking guidance from the Prophet rather than acting on their own understanding.
The ruling applies broadly to marital relations, with scholars emphasizing the importance of mutual consent between spouses when practicing any form of birth control.