What is your opinion on limiting or regulating the number of children?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, what is your opinion on regulating or limiting the number of children?
The Shaykh : My opinion is that this is not for the human being to decide, but rather it belongs to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). As for limiting the number of children in the sense that a person uses what completely terminates the pregnancy once a certain number of children are born, this is forbidden, and the scholars have explicitly stated this. As for what is called regulation, if there is a need for it, such as if the woman is weak or ill and cannot bear the burden of pregnancy, then she is given what prevents pregnancy at that time and in that instance. This varies among women and also depends on the woman's own condition. She may be in a year where she is capable of carrying a pregnancy easily, without illness and without harm, and she may be the opposite. Then we say to the one who wants or claims to regulate: Is the matter in your hand regarding those who already exist, that they remain alive? Everyone says: No, perhaps a calamity will befall them that destroys them all in one year. So where is the regulation? It is well known that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the community to marry women who are loving and fertile, meaning those who give birth frequently, in order to increase the offspring of the Muslim community. There is no doubt that the increase in offspring and the increase in the community is part of its honor and strength. Yes.
The Shaykh : My opinion is that this is not for the human being to decide, but rather it belongs to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). As for limiting the number of children in the sense that a person uses what completely terminates the pregnancy once a certain number of children are born, this is forbidden, and the scholars have explicitly stated this. As for what is called regulation, if there is a need for it, such as if the woman is weak or ill and cannot bear the burden of pregnancy, then she is given what prevents pregnancy at that time and in that instance. This varies among women and also depends on the woman's own condition. She may be in a year where she is capable of carrying a pregnancy easily, without illness and without harm, and she may be the opposite. Then we say to the one who wants or claims to regulate: Is the matter in your hand regarding those who already exist, that they remain alive? Everyone says: No, perhaps a calamity will befall them that destroys them all in one year. So where is the regulation? It is well known that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the community to marry women who are loving and fertile, meaning those who give birth frequently, in order to increase the offspring of the Muslim community. There is no doubt that the increase in offspring and the increase in the community is part of its honor and strength. Yes.