ABSTRACT
Islamic jurisprudential findings are foundational to the discourses of Muslim states and scholars participating in national and international family planning and population debates, resulting in a multiplicity of opinions. The assumption that Islam causes and/or can explain high fertility is clearly false. Historical and contemporary literature suggests that there is great diversity in Muslim fertility patterns and perceptions. Most Muslim states and societies have experienced the late onset of fertility transition, shifting from high to moderate or low fertility levels. Socio-economic and political factors appear just as influential as Islam in influencing fertility trends. The persistence of monolithic and conservative assumptions amongst Western observers continues to engender equally false opinions of singular and enduring Muslim experiences. Geographical, political, cultural, socio-economic and historical variances exist across the Muslim world. Family planning proponents use this distinction between temporary and permanent, prevention and termination to distinguish it from abortion, and to counter the arguments of opponents.
