sterilization

I am a doctor who needs to know the Islamic ruling concerning female sterilization (ligation of the Fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy). Does the ruling that applies to Muslim women apply to non-Muslim women as well?

As-Salamu `Alaykum, my wife has given birth to three children by caesarian section. A majority of Western surgeons recommend no more than three caesarian operations, and they carry out the fourth only upon the couple’s demand. They consider it dangerous for a woman to undergo more than four. They even suggest that it is better for a woman to be sterilized after the fourth. As a Muslim I would like to know whether sterilization is permissible in Islam, as long as one has had enough children.

Assalamalekum, my wife is expecting third baby in coming month november 2009 she delivered first two kids by ceasarian section and this time would be LSCS and consulting doctor advising for no more pregnancy because she is aN obese lady due to which forth casarian could be harmful, so in that case she can opt for STERLISATION,THANKS & REGARDSDr MOHD ARIF