The Ruling on Family Planning

Question:
Abu 'Amr from Egypt says: Honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on limiting family size if a man tells his wife, "We want to get married, but we will only have one son and one daughter for the rest of our lives"?

Answer:
This is not in our hands; it is in the hands of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Limiting family size is not permissible. Disliking children is one of the matters of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah), for they used to dislike daughters and dislike having many children out of fear of poverty. These are matters of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance that must be abandoned, and one must rely on Allah. Progeny is sought after. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Yes.