The Ruling on Family Planning out of Fear for the Children

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Question:
We move on to another questioner, may Allah preserve you. He says: What is the ruling on family planning out of fear for the children, or out of fear of the children causing corruption in society and poverty?

Answer:
It is not permissible to limit the number of children. Islam encourages seeking offspring. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

Marry women who are loving and very prolific, for I shall outnumber the peoples by you.

تزوجوا الودود الولود، فإني مكاثر بكم الأمم يوم القيامة،

Sunan Abi Dawud 2050Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani)

Offspring are sought, and a large number of offspring is sought, because of the good that lies in them for the individual and for society. Provision is in the hand of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). Your provision is not with you.

We will provide for you and them

نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ

[Al-An'am 6:151]

, Allah has guaranteed provision, and He does not create a creature without providing for it, (Glorified and Exalted is He).

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage

وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا

[Hud 11:6]

. So provision is in the hand of Allah, not in your hand. It is not limited to what is with you. The treasuries of Allah are full. And to Allah belong the treasuries of the heavens and the earth. Rely upon Allah and seek offspring. If they were to multiply, you do not know which of them will turn out well. Then you do not know which of them will remain or die. You do not know about this. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you

Source نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 02/284 — archive.org (10:51)

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

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