Author: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)
Question:
Is it permissible to marry with the intention of having children? Please clarify this in light of the Quran and Sunnah.
Answer:
Desiring pious offspring is a natural inclination and one of the primary motivations for marriage. After marriage, it is common for both husband and wife to long for righteous children who will inherit their legacy, manage their wealth responsibly, and carry forward their objectives. Children are the means of preserving human lineage, and the Quran explicitly acknowledges this aspect while guiding humanity.
Allah Almighty says:
"فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ"
(“Now, have relations with them and seek what Allah has decreed for you.”)
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 187]
Many scholars of Tafsir, including Ibn Kathir, interpret “what Allah has decreed for you” as referring to the blessing of children.
"تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ، فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ"
(“Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will boast of your great numbers before other nations.”)
[Abu Dawood, Kitab an-Nikah, Hadith 2050]
May Allah grant us righteous offspring who will uphold His deen. (Ameen)
Question:
Is it permissible to marry with the intention of having children? Please clarify this in light of the Quran and Sunnah.
Answer:
Desiring pious offspring is a natural inclination and one of the primary motivations for marriage. After marriage, it is common for both husband and wife to long for righteous children who will inherit their legacy, manage their wealth responsibly, and carry forward their objectives. Children are the means of preserving human lineage, and the Quran explicitly acknowledges this aspect while guiding humanity.
Allah Almighty says:
"فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ"
(“Now, have relations with them and seek what Allah has decreed for you.”)
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 187]
Many scholars of Tafsir, including Ibn Kathir, interpret “what Allah has decreed for you” as referring to the blessing of children.
Examples from the Prophets:
The Prophets, the most noble of mankind, not only desired pious children but also supplicated to Allah for them:- The Supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام):
"رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ"
(“My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.”)
[Surah As-Saffat: 100] - The Supplication of Prophet Zakariya (عليه السلام):
"وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِنْ وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا"
(“Indeed, I fear [what] my relatives [will do] after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me an heir from Yourself. Who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, pleasing [to You].”)
[Surah Maryam: 5-6]
Encouragement from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) emphasized the significance of having children and encouraged marriage for this purpose. He said:"تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ، فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ"
(“Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will boast of your great numbers before other nations.”)
[Abu Dawood, Kitab an-Nikah, Hadith 2050]
Conclusion:
Having children is one of the objectives of marriage. It is permissible and commendable to marry with the intention of having pious offspring, as this aligns with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. The supplications of the Prophets and the encouragement of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) affirm that seeking children through marriage is a virtuous and valid aim.May Allah grant us righteous offspring who will uphold His deen. (Ameen)