New Muslimah was wondering what is the ruling on having had my tubes tied and unable to produce any more children. Had this procedure done before converting? Now I feel bad that I can not give my husband anymore children like he wants.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

First of all, all perfect praise be to Allaah who guided you to Islam, and this blessing requires you to be steadfast on acts of obedience to Allaah, seek religious knowledge and keep company with righteous women. We ask Allaah to make us firm on this religion until the day we meet Him.

You should know that it is forbidden in Islam to carry out a permanent birth control [completely prevent childbearing] except for a necessity, as this contradicts one of the most important objectives of Islam in multiplying the progeny, because this strengthens the nation and makes it victorious, Allaah willing. However, since you did so before you became a Muslim, then Islam wipes out your previous sins. Allaah Says (what means): {Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them.}[Quran 8:38]. Moreover, it is confirmed that the Prophet told 'Amr Ibn Al-'Aas : "Did you not know that Islam wipes out previous sins." [Muslim]

Therefore, there is no harm in consulting the trustworthy and experienced doctors in the field as Allaah might bless you with some good, thanks to them, and nothing is hard or difficult for Allaah. However, if the doctors see that there is a possibility for you to get pregnant again, it is not permissible for you to use the means by which you would reveal your 'Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in Islam) unless it is a necessity for the treatment. In this regard a woman doctor should be in priority over a male doctor, and a Muslim female doctor comes in priority over a non-Muslim female doctor. Al-'Izz Ibn 'Abdus-Salaam said: 'It is an obligation to cover one's 'Awrah …but it is permissible to reveal it for a necessity and a dire need, such as doctors looking at the woman for the necessity of treatment.'

Besides, we advise you to expect good from Allaah and not despair from His Mercy, as He may bless whomever He wants with children after availing of all material means. Indeed He blessed Zakariyaa (Zachariah) with Yahyaa (John), may Allaah exalt their mention, while his wife was barren and he was very advanced in age. Allaah Says (what means): {He said, “My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?” He [the angel] said, “Such is Allaah; He does what he wills.”}[Quran 3:40]. If this is the case with a barren woman and when all material means are non-existing, so what about when some of these means are available [like your case]? So you should invoke Allaah earnestly and choose the best time when your supplication is most likely to be answered, like supplicating when in prostration, in the last third of the night and so forth.

Allaah Knows best.