Birth Control and Abortion in Islam (1st edition), by Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari, is a much needed work addressing the aforementioned titled twin topics. The book endeavors to show their Islamic perspectives in light of both classical and contemporary scholarship.

Structurally, the book is divided into two sections, one for each topic mentioned in the title, and prefaced by a discussion of one of the main purposes of marriage - procreation.

In the first chapter, birth control is explained. Its various forms and devices are grouped under more general categories with the author making sure to differentiate between reversible and irreversible forms of contraception. Each category is described and the rulings for them summarized at the end.

The second chapter takes a different approach from the first. Whereas in the first, the specific methodologies were discussed and evaluated, the act of abortion itself here is under review. The sacredness of life is established and forms the basis for the subsequent multi-tiered rulings on abortion. A final summary of the book is given at the end of this chapter.

For its seeming brevity, the author is generally quite thorough in his approach and comprehensive in his treatment of the subject matter. In some 60 pages, both topics are covered and related issues such as practicing contraception for fear of poverty and abortion due to rape are analyzed and addressed.

On another note, the book can be stronger in a few areas, namely: arrangement, clarity and scholarship. The summary at the end of chapter two is more deserving of its own chapter or appendix and the section headings, especially at the end of the chapters, lack strength in alignment; the discussions of emergency contraception could do with more refinement and the author's assessment of population control has an over-generalized feel to it.

Notwithstanding these, the book is very informative and enjoyable, and would make a great gift for couples of all ages.