Provision and the Size of the Family

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I heard Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying, “If you were to put your trust in Allah in the manner that He deserves, then you would be provided (with sustenance) as the birds are (provided for). They go out early in the day with empty stomachs and return at the end of the day with full (stomachs)”.

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, comments on the above hadith as follows:

“If you were to put your trust in Allah in the manner that He deserves” – Meaning, true reliance upon Allah, complete dependence upon Allah in seeking your provision and other than that. “Then you would be provided (with sustenance) as the birds are (provided for)”.

The bird’s sustenance is with Allah. The birds do not have an owner, thus they fly in the air and set out early in day in search of Allah’s Provision. “They go out early in the day with empty stomachs” – in the early hours of the day with hunger and empty stomachs, as Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِى مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ۬ لِّإِثۡمٍ۬‌ۙ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬

But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these mentioned meats), then surely, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful]. [Al-Ma’idah. 3]

“They go out early in the day with empty stomachs”- nothing in their stomachs. However, they put their trust in their Lord (The Mighty and Majestic], and “Return at the end of the day with full stomach”. They return in the latter part of the day with stomachs filled with Allah’s Provision.

So there are proofs in this (hadith) with regards to some matters:

It is incumbent upon the person to truly depend on Allah. Indeed, there is no living creature on the earth, except that its provision is due from Allah. Even the bird in the sky, none holds it up in the sky and none provides for it besides Allah. Every creature on the earth, be it as tiny as a small ant or huge like an elephant and its likes, its provision is due from Allah, as Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزۡقُهَا وَيَعۡلَمُ مُسۡتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسۡتَوۡدَعَهَا‌ۚ

And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allaah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus, grave, etc.)]. [Hud. Verse 6]

Indeed, the clearly misguided one is he who harbours suspicion about his Lord. He says, “Do not have many children because you will not have enough provision”.

By the Lord of the Throne! They have lied because Allah will give you more provision if you have more children. There is not a living creature on the earth except that its provision is due from Allah. The provision for your children and little ones is due from Allah. He (Allah) is The One Who opens the doors of provision for you, in order that you may spend on them. However, many people harbour an evil suspicion about Allah and are dependent on materialistic ideas. They do not look at (the affairs) with far sightedness and in accordance with Allah’s Absolute Ability, and that He [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] is The One Who provides even if the children are many. The more children you have, the more provision you will be given. This is the correct (belief).

In this is evidence that the one who truly relies on Allah will (also) utilise the means (to attaining what he seeks after). The misguided one is he who says, “I will not utilise the means and I am one who relies on Allah”. This is not correct. The one who truly relies on Allah is he who utilises the means whilst depending on Allah [The Mighty and Majestic]. This is why he [i.e. the Prophet] said, “Then you would be provided (with sustenance), as the birds are (provided for). They go out early in the day with empty stomachs”. (The bird) goes out in search of sustenance and does not stay in its nest; rather it sets out early in search of sustenance. So, after truly depending on Allah, you must (also) take the means that Allah has provided in seeking permissible sustenance- through agriculture, trade, work and through any means of seeking sustenance. Seek sustenance whilst depending on Allah and Allah will make it easy for you to obtain it.

From the benefits of this hadith is that the birds and other than them among Allah’s creation do know Allah, as Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, said:

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتُ ٱلسَّبۡعُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَن فِيہِنَّ‌ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفۡقَهُونَ تَسۡبِيحَهُمۡ‌ۗ

The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise, but you understand not their glorification]. [Al-Israa. 44]

لَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَسۡجُدُ لَهُ ۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ وَٱلنُّجُومُ وَٱلۡجِبَالُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ وَٱلدَّوَآبُّ وَڪَثِيرٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ‌ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡعَذَابُ‌ۗ وَمَن يُہِنِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن مُّكۡرِمٍ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ

See you not that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and Ad-Dawab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and many of mankind? But there are many (people) on whom the punishment is justified. And whomsoever Allah disgraces, none can honour him. Verily! Allah does what He wills. [Al-Hajj. 18]

The birds do know their Lord [The Mighty and Majestic]. The bird seeks after the provision Allah has allocated for it through a natural disposition that guides it to what is beneficial for it, and returns to its nest in the early part of the evening with a full stomach. This is what it does everyday. Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] provides it with sustenance and makes it easy for it to obtain it. And look at the Wisdom of Allah?! How the birds set off early to a far away place and are guided back to their place of (residence) without failing to find it! (That is) because Allah gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright. [1]

Shaikh Abdul Wahid Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him, said:

“According to scientists, another cause of poverty is population growth in countries that cannot afford to feed the extra mouths. Most rich countries have a stable population with roughly as many babies born as people dying. However, in poor countries, the populations seem to be increasing. Muslims, as rule, are not allowed to use contraception due to fear of not being able to provide for their children – they learn from the Quran that Allah will enrich them from Himself from ways and means that He provides. Population control measures are not from the Islamically legislated means to remove poverty – this is proven by the fact that there is sufficient food and resources in the world to feed the poor many times over daily! Added to that is the reality that large populations are a tremendous resource for a nation. Countries with large populations are quite often the wealthiest and have the fastest growing economies. Note: In certain situations, contraception is permitted and I have discussed that elsewhere. Islam teaches that poor people must be helped with education, skills, charity, better infrastructure and better health care. In this way the poor are not neglected and the wealth of the rich is purified in the sight of Allāh through the giving of charity. People have large families because the family unit helps each other and they care for their elders. Death of young children is much higher in poorer countries due to sicknesses and disease. So, the Muslims have a duty to help the poor, even if they are non-Muslims. The Prophet said, ‘Give charity to people of other Religions'” (Shaikh Al-Albānī said it was an authentic Hadīth, in As-Saheehah). [2]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

“Among the most amazing of affairs is that many contemporary writers and politicians seek to remedy the many social ills and try to do so do from many angles, however as for the problem of deviation from the path of Allah -whose surge has carried away the majority of young people, they have not rushed to stop it by returning to sound faith and certainty; rather they have been abandoned to wander blindly in their misguidance and wavering in beguilement, and thus the social ills they seek to remedy gives birth to other social ills, because if the path to remedying social ills is not based on sound faith and sound religion, they will increase and become worse”. [3]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said, “What type of progress is this? A progress whose people became like vicious wild animals and whose abiding practice is oppression, annihilation, colonization of weak nations and depriving them of their rights?” [4]

The Imam also said, “They developed these affairs through a development that is disconnected from submission to Allāh and the religion ordained by Allāh… it has caused harm and led its proponents to savagery and barbarism whose outcomes has been destruction, ruin and evils that has no comparison”. [5]

He said, “Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls. What the Religion of Islam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification – it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge and guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts [upon righteousness], urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity. The essence of that which the religion calls to regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allaah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islaam. Therefore, even if the worldly sciences rectify [some] affairs based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal [in perfection, excellence etc] to the knowledge of the Messengers [in the least]. It will neither reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done; for indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature”. [6]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi, may Allah preserve him, said:

“The knowledge brought by the Prophets is rectification for the people, a guide for them towards the right path and removes them from the darkness they are living in – the darkness of disbelief and ignorance. As for the knowledge of the philosophers and the heretics, then what Allah has stated truly applies to it:

 فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Ghaafir 83]

It is the knowledge which the people boast about nowadays, whether it is medicine, engineering, astronomy, [modern] politics and economics. After the Prophets came to them – to remove them from the darkness of ignorance and enter them into the light of the knowledge and Iman, they were glad and boastful with the knowledge they possess, (just as Allah has stated): “Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things); and that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)”. [Ghafir’ 83]

These sciences become a trial and tribulation if they are not regulated by the knowledge which Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] brought. [7]

Therefore, be warned against embracing the ideas of eugenicists regarding population control! Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about a husband and a wife who agreed not to have children and whether this is allowed. He responded and said 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 [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] 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 Allah 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 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. [8]

Let the Muslim doctor fear Allah when consulted. A doctor must fear Allah with regards to those affairs about which one is consulted, especially that which is related to the rights of the people- such as when a sick person approaches him for a sick note or when in need of a medical note to prove that he is fit for employment, or when consulted regarding a particular type of medication, or whether the state of health of an individual (woman) allows her to utilise contraception in order not to get pregnant, or whether her state of health warrants the removal of her ovaries. It has been reported in a hadith by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him] who said that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: [الْمُسْتَشَارُ مُؤْتَمَنٌ – The consultee is in a position of trust]. [9]

الْمُسْتَشَارُ مُؤْتَمَنٌ

The consultee is in a position of trust.

المستشار

The Consultee.

He is the one whose opinion is sought after regarding an affair of Maslahah (i.e. an affair that will bring about benefit and repel harm). He is in a position of trust with regards to what he is asked and it is not permissible for him to deceive the one who consults him, by concealing the affair that would bring about benefit. [10]

This hadith is evidence, showing that the consultee has to (advise) with the course of action and opinion -in relation to the consultation – that which he would do for himself. And it is not permissible that he directs his Muslim brother to something he would not be pleased with for himself. [11]

Istighfaar Increases Rizq

Imam Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that Bin Subayh, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned that man complained to Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, about drought. Al-Hasan said to him, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. Another person complained about poverty, to which Al-Hasan similarly responded, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. A third person said to him, “Supplicate to Allah to grant me a child”, Al-Hasan again said to him, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. Then another complained about the dryness of his garden, Al-Hasan said to him, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. So, Rabee Bin Sibayh said to him, “Men came with different complaints and you commanded all of them to seek Allah’s forgiveness!” He replied: “I did not say anything from myself, rather Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah Nuh:

فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًا

يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا

وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَٰرًا

I (Nuh) said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; ‘He will send rain to you in abundance; and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” [12]

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:
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/

[1] An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Riyad As-Saaliheen 1/557-560’. slightly paraphrased

[2]https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-causes-of-poverty-in-light-of-climate-change-population-growth-and-other-factors-part-ii-ethics-2-4/%5D

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Adillatul Qawaatiq’ pages 40-41′. slightly paraphrased

[4] & [5] Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid-deen Al-Islaamiy 44

[6] Al-Adillatul Qawaati Wal-Baraaheem Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen. Page 48

[7] Marhaban Yaa Talib al- Ilm. Page 100

[8]http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/11853 NB: This is a general Fatwa, therefore married couples should ask the scholars about their specific circumstances, in order to receive specific ruling related to their situation.

[9] Excerpt from Akhlaaq At-Tabeeb Al-Muslim pages 4- 18. Hadith reported by Abu Dawud (rahimahullaah)’ Number 5128’ & declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abee Dawud]

[10] See Hadith Number 5062′ Vol 4’ page 259′ in Mirqaat Al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh]

[11] Awn al-Ahad As-Samadi, Sharh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad’ Vol 1′ Hadith Number 256′ page 283]

[12] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi 18/301-303