What is the ruling on family planning?
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The questioner : The questioner asks: What is the ruling on absolute family planning, limiting the number of children to a specific number, given that some scholars have issued a fatwa on this?
The Shaykh : As for me, I say:[Ash-Shuraa 42:49-50]. The matter in this is up to Allah, and the claim that family planning is permissible is an error and foolishness. Suppose you limit the number of children to four, for example, and then a disaster strikes and takes them away. Where did they go? You are left without children. You are left without children. Furthermore, family planning is completely contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wanted for the Ummah, as he said: What? Sunan al-Bayhaqi 10:870. But the enemies of the Muslims introduced such matters to the Muslims: family planning, birth control, and the like. So that the Islamic Ummah does not increase in number, because the enemies of Islam know that if the Islamic Ummah increases, it will become independent of them, will not need them, and will be a war against them if Allah gives them strength, if these people do not enter Islam or pay the jizyah. They want the Muslims to reduce their offspring. And you know, my brothers, you know that a large number is one of the causes of victory. Who can bring me a verse that indicates this?
The student:[Al-Isra 17:6]
The Shaykh : Get up, my brother, read what comes before it.
The student:[Al-Isra 17:6].
The Shaykh : Read what comes before it.
The student: Allah (Mighty and Majestic) bestowed upon you.
The Shaykh : Read what comes before it. In Surat al-Isra? Yes.
The student: Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Isra 17:6].
The Shaykh : May Allah reward you.[Al-Isra 17:6]. And Shu'ayb said to his people: [Al-A'raf 7:86]. So He made this a blessing. Some people say, "Provision, provision." Provision is with whom? Yes? With Allah (Mighty and Majestic). [Al-A'raf 7:96]. Allah opens the blessings from the sky and the earth: rains, plants, livestock, and blessings. Therefore, my brothers, know that you have a Lord in whose hand are all affairs, (Glorified and Exalted is He). He sent you a Messenger and explained things to you. Did the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ever say in all of history, "Limit your offspring"? Yes? No. Did he say, "Regulate it"? No. Yes, if it is assumed that a woman is weak and cannot bear to give birth every year, then it can be said that she should delay, as the Companions used to permit. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good and do you good.
The Shaykh : As for me, I say:
(49) To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what he wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males. (50) Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren.
لله ملك السماوات والأرض يخلق ما يشاء يهب لمن يشاء إناثا ويهب لمن يشاء الذكور أو يزوجهم ذكرانا وإناثا ويجعل من يشاء عقيماMarry the affectionate and fertile.
تزوجوا الودودI will outnumber the Prophets with you on the Day of Resurrection
الولود فإني مكاثر بكم الأنبياء يوم القيامةThe student:
and made you more numerous in manpower
وجعلناكم أكثر نفيراThe Shaykh : Get up, my brother, read what comes before it.
The student:
and made you more numerous in manpower
وجعلناكم أكثر نفيراThe Shaykh : Read what comes before it.
The student: Allah (Mighty and Majestic) bestowed upon you.
The Shaykh : Read what comes before it. In Surat al-Isra? Yes.
The student: Allah the Exalted said:
Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower
ثم رددنا لكم الكرة عليهم وأمددناكم بأموال وبنين وجعلناكم أكثر نفيراThe Shaykh : May Allah reward you.
Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower
ثم رددنا لكم الكرة عليهم وأمددناكم بأموال وبنين وجعلناكم أكثر نفيراAnd remember when you were few and He increased you
واذكروا إذ كنتم قليلا فكثركمAnd if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth
لو أن أهل القرى آمنوا واتقوا لفتحنا عليهم بركات من السماء والأرضThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good and do you good.