A young man residing in the city of Abha, married with three sons, praise be to Allah, but in brief he says
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The questioner : This questioner says in his message: That he is a young man residing in the city of Abha, married with three sons, praise be to Allah, but in brief he says: My wife and I have decided to refrain from having more children so that we can raise our children with the correct Islamic upbringing, and as far as possible away from the many trials surrounding us. What is the solution in your view? May you be rewarded.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment:
This solution is incorrect—I mean: stopping childbearing—because it contradicts what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to, where he said:Sunan al-Bayhaqi 10:870, and because a person does not know what may happen; perhaps these sons he has will die, and he will be left without descendants.
The reasoning that this is for the sake of controlling their upbringing, and perhaps being able to provide for their expenses, is a weak reasoning in reality, because righteousness is in the hand of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and upbringing is a cause without doubt. How many people have only one son and were unable to raise him properly, and how many people have ten children and raised them, and Allah rectified them through their hands.
And there is no doubt that the one who says: If they are many, he will not be able to control them, has thought ill of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and perhaps he will be punished for this thought. Rather, the decisive believer does the lawful causes and asks Allah for help and success, and if Allah knows from him the sincerity of intention, Allah will rectify his affairs.
So I say to the brotherThe questioner : Do not stop childbearing. Have as many children as you can, for their provision is upon Allah and their righteousness is upon Allah. And the more you increase in upbringing, the more you increase in reward. If you have three and you discipline them and raise them well, you are rewarded for three only. But if they are ten, you are rewarded for ten. And you do not know, perhaps Allah will make these ten scholars and mujahideen who benefit the Muslim community, and that will be among the effects of your excellence. Have more children, and Allah will increase your wealth and expand your provision for you.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment:
This solution is incorrect—I mean: stopping childbearing—because it contradicts what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to, where he said:
Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will compete with the prophets in number on the Day of Resurrection.
تزوجوا الودود الولود، فإني مكاثر بكم الأنبياء يوم القيامةThe reasoning that this is for the sake of controlling their upbringing, and perhaps being able to provide for their expenses, is a weak reasoning in reality, because righteousness is in the hand of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and upbringing is a cause without doubt. How many people have only one son and were unable to raise him properly, and how many people have ten children and raised them, and Allah rectified them through their hands.
And there is no doubt that the one who says: If they are many, he will not be able to control them, has thought ill of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and perhaps he will be punished for this thought. Rather, the decisive believer does the lawful causes and asks Allah for help and success, and if Allah knows from him the sincerity of intention, Allah will rectify his affairs.
So I say to the brotherThe questioner : Do not stop childbearing. Have as many children as you can, for their provision is upon Allah and their righteousness is upon Allah. And the more you increase in upbringing, the more you increase in reward. If you have three and you discipline them and raise them well, you are rewarded for three only. But if they are ten, you are rewarded for ten. And you do not know, perhaps Allah will make these ten scholars and mujahideen who benefit the Muslim community, and that will be among the effects of your excellence. Have more children, and Allah will increase your wealth and expand your provision for you.