Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
If a newly married couple—both young—intentionally plan not to have children for three to four years, is such a mindset Islamically correct?
✦ Such thinking is discouraged in Islam, because the objectives of a lawful marriage include not only mutual enjoyment but also the desire for righteous offspring, which is encouraged and commendable in Shari‘ah.
Allah ﷻ says:
فَالْـٔـٰنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
(Surah al-Baqarah: 187)
“So now approach them and seek what Allah has written for you.”
According to many classical Mufassirīn (e.g., in Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī), “what Allah has written for you” refers to offspring. Imam al-Ṭabarī explains that the most apparent meaning is seeking children through lawful marital relations.
“Marry loving and child-bearing women, for I will boast of your numbers before the prophets on the Day of Judgment.”
(Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl 6/195)
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “No!” He came a second and third time and was told:
“Marry loving, child-bearing women, for I will take pride in your numbers among the nations.”
(Abu Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, Ibn Ḥibbān)
Islam encourages having multiple children and views intentional delay or avoidance of children, especially for non-essential reasons, as disapproved.
Even methods like coitus interruptus (ʿazl) were allowed with dislike, as indicated by:
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding ʿazl:
“It is hidden infanticide.”
(Sahih Muslim)
If a woman is physically weak and a qualified, trustworthy doctor certifies that pregnancy would endanger her life, then it becomes permissible under the principle of necessity to adopt methods to prevent pregnancy.
Such cases fall under ḍarūrah (necessity), where forbidden actions may become permissible to the extent of the need, as supported by both Qur’an and Sunnah.
① Deliberately delaying children without valid reason is discouraged in Islam.
② Seeking righteous offspring is a Shari‘ah-recommended goal of marriage.
③ Medical necessity can allow delaying or preventing pregnancy, under legal concession (ḍarūrah).
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
❀ Question:
If a newly married couple—both young—intentionally plan not to have children for three to four years, is such a mindset Islamically correct?
❀ Answer:
✦ Such thinking is discouraged in Islam, because the objectives of a lawful marriage include not only mutual enjoyment but also the desire for righteous offspring, which is encouraged and commendable in Shari‘ah.
✿ Qur’anic Evidence:
Allah ﷻ says:
فَالْـٔـٰنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
(Surah al-Baqarah: 187)
“So now approach them and seek what Allah has written for you.”
According to many classical Mufassirīn (e.g., in Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī), “what Allah has written for you” refers to offspring. Imam al-Ṭabarī explains that the most apparent meaning is seeking children through lawful marital relations.
✿ Hadith Evidence:
- Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ forbade celibacy and said:
“Marry loving and child-bearing women, for I will boast of your numbers before the prophets on the Day of Judgment.”
(Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl 6/195)
- Maʿqil ibn Yasār رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man told the Prophet ﷺ that he found a beautiful and noble woman, but she was barren, and asked whether he should marry her.
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “No!” He came a second and third time and was told:
“Marry loving, child-bearing women, for I will take pride in your numbers among the nations.”
(Abu Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, Ibn Ḥibbān)
✿ Commentary:
Islam encourages having multiple children and views intentional delay or avoidance of children, especially for non-essential reasons, as disapproved.
Even methods like coitus interruptus (ʿazl) were allowed with dislike, as indicated by:
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding ʿazl:
“It is hidden infanticide.”
(Sahih Muslim)
✿ Exception - Medical Necessity:
If a woman is physically weak and a qualified, trustworthy doctor certifies that pregnancy would endanger her life, then it becomes permissible under the principle of necessity to adopt methods to prevent pregnancy.
Such cases fall under ḍarūrah (necessity), where forbidden actions may become permissible to the extent of the need, as supported by both Qur’an and Sunnah.
✔ Summary:
① Deliberately delaying children without valid reason is discouraged in Islam.
② Seeking righteous offspring is a Shari‘ah-recommended goal of marriage.
③ Medical necessity can allow delaying or preventing pregnancy, under legal concession (ḍarūrah).
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
