Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum Warahu matullah

Dear brother in Islam,

I am writing in regard to, women’s right in Islam for giving birth to a child.

We got married three years before, and mostly it was my decision to have family planning and have a baby later. What make me worry is, the financial hurdle relate to raising a child where I still doesn’t have a mental readiness to accept a child at this stage. Moreover I am really concerned with the expenses and too I do not have any savings to meet those expenses. About my wife (26 Yrs), she has an immense interest to conceive a baby and my question is whether I am preventing the right of a woman to conceive a baby or to give birth to a child. How will I be treated in the eyes of Almighty and Islam? I follow prayers all the day, and whether my prays will be granted because of such a decision?, and is using birth control systems is allowed in Islam

I look forward your most brotherly advice,

May Allah protect you and us always

Masalaama,

Your brother

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Financial worries of raising child

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 151 (part):

You should not kill your children for fear of poverty; for We provide sustenance for you and will provide sustenance for them also.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 31:

Do not kill your children for fear of want; for it is We Who provide for them, and for you as well. Indeed, their killing is a heinous crime!

To prevent or abstain from having children only for the fear of poverty or how would one meet their expenses is not only against the guidance of Allah Subhanah, but a grave sin in the Sight of the Lord!….for Allah Subhanah is the One Who Alone Provides sustenance for each in creation and their off-spring!

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan