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Year: 2020

Family: [The Number of Children We Want, Giving The Wife a Break to Recover Properly Before The Birth of Another Child etc] – By Shaikh Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz

 In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] was asked about a husband and a wife who agreed not to have children and whether this is allowed:

The Shaikh [rahimahullaah] responded saying that this agreement of theirs is not permissible. As long as the woman is able [to bear children], then it is not permissible for them to do this because the Islamic legislation requires that the people give concern to bearing children and make the Ummah numerous. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: Marry the childbearing, loving woman for I shall outnumber the peoples by you on the Day of Resurrection. In another wording [of this narration the Prophet said]: Outnumber [i.e. the followers of the other] Prophets on the Day of Judgement.” That is because by way of this [i.e. having many children] those who worship Allaah among the Muslims will be numerous, the Ummah will be numerous and strong in opposing their enemies.

It is not permissible for a man to abandon having children out of fear of either tiredness in seeking after a livelihood or due to difficulty, or due to expenditure, or due to a desire to enjoy one’s wife and other than that. It also not permissible for a woman to do this, rather it is obligated on both of them to pursue the means of having offspring -be eager to seek the means to having children so that the Ummah becomes numerous and to fulfil what the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] stated.

However, if the woman either suffers a lot of pain due to an illness of the womb or she cannot give birth except by way of surgical operation, then this is an excuse to not have children. If the surgical operation [or caesarean] will harm her- it is feared that something will happen to her, and also if the children are many- born at close intervals and bringing them up becomes difficult upon her, then there is nothing to prevent her from taking some pills [or contraception] or some preventative measures for a year or two – the period of breastfeeding- so that she becomes strong enough to nurture the children and able to nurture the other newly born. Audio link with transcript http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/11853

NB: This is a general Fatwa, therefore married should ask the scholars about their specific circumstances, in order to receive specific ruling related to their situation.


Read also

Fertility issues and contraception in Islam: The choice to have children

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/fertility-issues-and-contraception-in-islam-the-choice-to-have-children-ethics-1-6/

Rulings Related to Contraception, Family Planning & Following One Pregnancy With Another by Abu Khadeejah

https://www.salafisounds.com/tag/contraception/

Abortion and its ruling in Islam

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/abortion-and-its-ruling-in-islam-redstone-academy-ethics-1-4/

Miscarriage of a foetus and the rulings related to the mother and child: Ibn Bāz and Ibn Uthaimeen.

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/miscarriage-of-a-foetus-and-the-rulings-related-to-the-mother-and-child-ibn-baz-and-ibn-uthaimeen/

Some Admonitions of Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, you see an unbeliever with the healthiest body amongst the people and with the sickest heart; and you will come across a believer with the most upright of hearts and the unhealthiest body [i.e. physical illness]. I swear by Allaah, if your hearts were sick and your bodies healthy, you will be more insignificant to Allaah than dung beetles”.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “’Search for your heart in three situations [i.e. how you respond]: When the recitation of the Qur’aan is heard, in the gatherings where Allaah is remembered and in times of seclusion. If you do not find your heart in these situations, then ask Allaah to grant you a heart, for indeed you do not have a heart’’.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Sins take control over the heart”.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, the people make their speech very good and appropriate; the one whose speech is in conformity with his actions is that one who has achieved his portion of [goodness]. And the one whose speech is in opposition to his actions, then he is that one who has rebuked himself’’.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “There is not anything on the face of the earth more needed than a prolonged imprisonment of the tongue [i.e. speak good or remain silent]’’.


[Source: Al-Fawaa-id by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]. page 213-221]

One of The Perils of Worship Based On Ignorance!

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Betower of Mercy.

Ibnul Qaasim [rahimahullaah] said: I heard Maalik [i.e. Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah)] saying: “Indeed a people sought after the path of worship and abandoned knowledge, so they rebelled against the Ummah of Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] with their swords [i.e. khawaarij]. And had they sought the means to [acquiring] knowledge [first], they would have been prevented from that [rebellion]”. [Miftaah Daarus Sa’aadah 1/392]

Four Types of Diseases: [Shub’hah, Shak, Shahwa and Ghay]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: There are two types of diseases: Disease of the heart and disease of the body, and both have been mentioned in the Qur’aan. The disease of the heart are two types: [a] The disease of Shubhah [i.e. an affair of falsehood that is made to resemble truth] and Shak [i.e. doubt]. [b] The disease of Shahwah [i.e. evil or vain desires or lewd conduct] and Ghay [i.e. deviation from the right path].  Both of them have been mentioned in the Qur’aan. Allaah [The Most High] stated regarding the disease of Shubhah: [   فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا -In their hearts is a disease [of doubt and hypocrisy] and Allah has increased their disease. [2:10]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَلِيَقُولَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَالْكَافِرُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلًا ۚ – And that those in whose hearts is a disease [of hypocrisy] and the disbelievers may say: “What Allah intends by this (curious) example?] [74:31]

And Allaah [The Most High] stated about the one who is called to judge by the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, but he refuses and turns away:

 وَإِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

وَإِن يَكُن لَّهُمُ الْحَقُّ يَأْتُوا إِلَيْهِ مُذْعِنِينَ

أَفِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ أَمِ ارْتَابُوا أَمْ يَخَافُونَ أَن يَحِيفَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَرَسُولُهُ ۚ بَلْ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

And when they are called to Allah (i.e. His Words, the Qur’an) and His Messenger to judge between them, lo! a party of them refuse (to come) and turn away. But if the right is with them, they come to him willingly with submission. Is there a disease in their hearts? Or do they doubt or fear lest Allah and His Messenger should wrong them in judgement. Nay, it is they themselves who are the Zalimun (polytheists, hypocrites and wrong-doers, etc.).[24:48-50] This is the disease of Shubhah [i.e. an affair of falsehood that is made to resemble truth] and Shak [i.e. doubt].

 As for the disease of Shahwa [evil desires], Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ ۚ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ – O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease [i.e. evil desire for adultery, etc.] should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.” [Ahzaab: Ayah:32]  This is the disease of the evil desire for adultery, and Allaah knows best.

As for the diseases of the body, Allaah [The Most High] said: [لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجٌ۬ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجٌ۬ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِيضِ حَرَجٌ۬ – There is no restriction on the blind, nor any restriction on the lame, nor any restriction on the sick….. [24:61]

Allaah mentioned the diseases of the body when He [The Most High] spoke about Hajj, Fasting and Ablution due to a marvellous underlying reason – a reason that will reveal to you the Greatness of the Qur’aan and suffices the one who understands it. The principles of physical medicine are three: preservation of health, protecting [the body] from what might cause harm and removal of harmful substances [from the body]; and Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] mentioned these three principles in those three places [i.e. when He (The Most High) spoke about Hajj, Fasting and Ablution)] [Ref 1]

Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: Allaah (The Most High) said: [فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ -In their hearts is a disease]. [Surah Ayah: 10 Soorah Al-Baqarah]- What is intended by disease here is: The disease of doubt, the disease of Shubuhaat [i.e. affairs that resemble truth but are falsehood in reality] and the disease of hypocrisy. That is because the heart is exposed to two (types) of diseases that takes it away from well-being and uprightness- the disease of shubuhaat and the disease of lowly destructive desires. Disbelief, hypocrisy, doubts and bidah are all from the disease of Shubuhaat. Fornication, love of lewd acts, disobedience and committing them are from the disease of lowly desires. [Ref 2]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ۬ وَرَحۡمَةٌ۬ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ‌ۙ – And We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism and act on it)]. [Soorah Al-Israa: Ayah 82]

Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah) said: There are three statements (of the scholars) regarding the Qur’aan being a healing: [a] It is a healing for misguidance due to what it contains of guidance; [b] It is healing for illnesses due to what it contains of blessings; [c] It is healing due to its explanation and clarification of the obligatory duties and rulings of the religion. [Ref 3]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: The Qur’aan is a healing for the hearts for the diseases of ignorance, doubt and scepticism.  Allaah (The Most High) has never revealed a cure that is neither more comprehensive and beneficial; nor greater and quicker in removing diseases than the Qur’aan.’’ [Ref 4]

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) said: The healing that the Qur’aan contains covers all [diseases] of the hearts, such the disease of Shubhah [(i.e. an affair that is made to resemble truth but is falsehood in reality], ignorance, corrupt views, perversion and evil aims; for indeed the Qur’aan is gathered upon ‘Al-Ilm Al-Yaqeenee [i.e. Knowledge based on Absolute Certainty’ by way of which every Shubhah and affair of ignorance is removed, and it contains an admonition and a reminder by way of which every desire that is in opposition to the command of Allaah is removed]. And it is a healing for the bodies against what is harmful to them and its illnesses. As for it being a Mercy, it is due to the Asbaab [i.e. sound means] and Wasaa-il [i.e. paths, ways] it guides to, which if the slave [i.e. person] acts upon them, he (or she) will be successful (in receiving Allaah’s) Mercy and an everlasting happiness-reward in this worldly life and everlasting reward in the Hereafter.  [Ref 5]

Imaam Shanqeeti (rahimahullaah) said: It (i.e. the Qur’aan) combines healing for the diseases of the heart, such as doubt, hypocrisy and other than that. It is a healing for the bodies when utilised for ruqya, such as what took place in the story of the man who performed ruqya with Soorah Faatihah on a man who was stung and it is an authentic and famous story…. [Ref 6]


Ref 1: Source: At-Tib An-Nabawiy of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (rahimahullaah) with comments by Al-Allaamah Muhammad Haamid Al-Faqee (rahimahullaah): page: 3. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]. Your feedback is welcome to improve the content of this article BaarakAllaahu Feekum

Also read:

http://www.abukhadeejah.com/what-are-the-principles-of-medicine-with-the-scholars-of-islam/

[Ref 2: Source: Tafseer Sadi Soorah Al-Baqarah]

[Ref 3: Source: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilm At-Tafseer of Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)—Tafseer Soorah al-Israa]

[Ref 4: Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafee page 4]

[Ref 5: Tafseer As-Sadi]

[Ref 6: Adwaa Al-Bayaan–Tafseer Soorah Al-Israa: Ayah 82]