“Smaller Families!!!”
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah [The Exalted] said:
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]
Every constructed ideology attracts its share of uncritical adherents, extremists, and oppressors. It is not surprising that some of the so-called enlightened authorities or scholars in the field of worldly sciences engage in various forms of criminal behaviour and mischief. Many of us, having progressed through primary and secondary education, as well as colleges and universities, are familiar with Charles Darwin’s work “Savages and Favoured Races,” which undeniably serves as a foundation for racial discrimination. Nevertheless, the trajectory of the arrogant and dogmatic eugenicists has resulted in further oppression, manifesting as crimes against the weak and vulnerable segments of society. Population eugenics involved encouraging individuals to reproduce in ways that yield preferred traits. Indeed, the believer remains entirely unencumbered by the agendas and ideologies of those who approach reproduction solely to advance their materialistic or racist objectives—whether that be to generate future labourers for communists and capitalists or to inhibit certain societal groups from procreation under the guise of racial hygiene or out of a fear of poverty. We do not heed the voices of any malevolent individuals who attempt to instill fear regarding financial hardship, suggesting that having numerous children inevitably leads to a life of poverty.
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.)]. [Surah 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 Allaah disgraces, none can honour him. Verily! Allaah 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]
Indeed, the legacy of the arrogant and opinionated eugenicists is well-known- those who engaged in their useless quest for a genetic overclass and so called reproduction of only perfect people, and thus discriminated against everyone with the slightest disability or deficiency! The Nazis took this to the next level and committed atrocities – utilized eugenic ideology to justify large-scale forced sterilization and euthanasia. So called “Positive eugenics” paid close attention to encouraging those of so-called “good stock” to reproduce, but those considered unfit for reproduction, such as the poor, criminals or the feeble-minded were discouraged or prevented through so-called “Negative eugenics”. When this satanic idea was championed by some politicians and government officials, the wellbeing of the vulnerable in society was completely under the control of a people whose worldly sciences were devoid of the compassion, mercy and the upright moral character ordained by the creator of the heavens and the earth. The founder of the eugenics movement was called Francis Galton – [1822-1911]- and he was influenced by Charles Darwin’s kufr idea “The Origin of Species”. This Galton concentrated on the idea of heritability of different traits, especially the heritability of intelligence and how to counter society’s so-called scarcity of talent and character, and that poverty, vagrancy and crime were due to the transfer of degenerate traits from parents to their child. His satanic ideas influenced some so-called intellectuals in Britain, the US, Germany and other countries at the time. Indeed, all praise and thanks be to Allah, this not how a believer addresses problems in society, because it is nothing but seeking for scapegoats so as to justify neglect of the vulnerable in society. Some of those arrogant and opinionated eugenicists held that preventing the poor from having children was a means of protecting society because it stopped them from producing people similar to them. Thirty-two American states passed eugenic-sterilization laws during the twentieth century, and between sixty and seventy thousand people were sterilized under them. However, this had no effect in improving virtue. 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 and severed 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 Allaah, 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]
Therefore, 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 hadeeth 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 hadeeth is an 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]
The eugenicists were deprived of this fear of Allah, rather they were opinionated and filled with arrogance, so they violated the rights of vulnerable people. Recently, thousands of Japanese – who were forcibly sterilised – will receive government compensation after the government passed legislation and the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologized to the victims on behalf of the government. Nearly 16,500 mentally disabled people were sterilized in Japan without their consent under the previous law that was abolished in 1996. Each victim is to receive $29,000. This started when a Japanese woman, now in her 60s, sued the government because she was sterilized in 1972 after diagnosed with a mental disability. Under Japan’s previous law, some leprosy patients were forced to have abortions because they were not allowed to have children. In 2005, a Japanese court ordered the government to compensate a leprosy patient who was wronged by this law. Germany and Sweden also had similar eugenics laws, but their governments have apologized and paid compensation to the victims.
Moral Responsibility Violated By Many Amongst Humankind
Allah [The Exalted] said:
إِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا ٱلۡأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلۡجِبَالِ فَأَبَيۡنَ أَن يَحۡمِلۡنَہَا وَأَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡہَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ ظَلُومً۬ا جَهُولاً۬
Truly, We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah’s Torment). But the human being bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results). [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 72]
Abu Dharr [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Allah – The Almighty – said: O My servants! I have forbidden injustice for Myself and I have forbidden it among you, so do not oppress one another’”. [Sahih Muslim 2577]
Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said: What is Dhulm -injustice or oppression? Dhulm [injustice (or oppression)] is of three types: the greatest of them is Shirk (i.e. to ascribe partners to Allah). And why is shirk referred as Dhulm [injustice]? That is because the basis of injustice is to place something in other than its rightful place, and the meaning of shirk is to direct acts of worship to other than its rightful place and this is the greatest injustice, because when they (i.e. the people of shirk) directed acts of worship to other than its rightful place and to those who are not deserving of it, they equated the created (beings) to the Creator, a weak one (i.e. a created being) to Al-Qawiy [The One Perfect in Strength (i.e. Allaah)], who is able to do everything. Therefore, is there any greater injustice after this? The second type of Dhulm (oppression or injustice) is committed when a person oppresses himself by committing sins. A sinner oppresses himself because he exposes himself to punishment, even though it is obligated on him to save himself and place himself in an appropriate situation, and that is to obey Allaah. The third type of Dhulm (oppression or injustice) is committed when a person oppresses others (or commits injustice against them) by taking their wealth (unlawfully), backbiting them, spreading tales about them, stealing their wealth, violating their honour through backbiting, tale carrying, slander, or shedding their blood by way of unlawful murder, beating them, inflicting injuries, degrading them without right etc [12]
Indeed, besides the disbelief of the colonialists – forefathers of the neocolonialists, they also commit oppression in different ways in the name of advancement and civilization. We read – in the history books – about the oppressive behaviour of the colonialists between the 15th and 18th centuries when they raided other lands, looted natural resources and transported millions of Africans to the US to work in the plantations. Listen below:
https://video.link/w/Qbaub https://youtu.be/MfxUAtyYLJk
Then after this barbaric enterprise was abolished, it was replaced with another barbaric enterprise – neocolonialism. So, in 1884, the colonialists met in Berlin and decided to share the colonies between themselves. Then came a time in which they decided to offer a so called independence to the colonies and amazing indeed was this offer! In one offer of independence, the colonialists said to the colonized, “We’ll grant you independence, but before doing so you must agree to the following: you must deposit 85% of your bank reserves with our ministry of finance – under our central bank. And with regards to all your discovered minerals or yet to be discovered, our companies have the ‘Right of First Refusal’. Your official language has to be our language, we’ll have a military presence in your country, your military can only be trained by our military, you can only buy military equipment from us, you cannot have any military alliance with your neighbours and in the event of war you must be on our side”. This was the independence offered! The money deposited in their ministry of finance was invested in their name and all the profits belonged to them. This is how some of them treated the colonies, yet they have the audacity to tell the whole world that the countries they’ve looted and oppressed for nearly over 400 years are poor- the very countries they continue to oppress economically. In addition to this, they constantly seek to demoralize the former colonies and give their economic situations different descriptions- sometimes referring to them as “The Third World”, the “Under-developed countries”, the “Developing Countries” etc. All these descriptions are utilized to demoralize the former colonies. Many of the neocolonialists talk about ethics, but how many are just in their mutual dealings?! Rather, self-interested individuals and groups do not give concern to anything other than finding ways and devising tactics to enslave the former colonies through usury. Read here: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-grave-crime-of-usury-and-interest-riba-based-transactions-what-is-allowed-and-what-is-not/
Indeed, it is impossible for countries that are always in bondage to lenders to take control of their economies, because as soon as a nation is heavily in debt, the lenders can easily gain the upper hand through Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs), which secures repayment of the debt and forces a county to adopt economic restructuring. So, in some cases, the weaker nation is forced to reduce spending on essential social services, such as healthcare provision, education and development, whilst repayment of the debt is given priority, as well as the possibility of giving the lender an easy access to the country’s raw materials. This is well known and whoever researches will come across a lot that has been written on the subject matter. Indeed, there is no benefit in providing financial assistance that is going to permanently make a nation dependent on another nation due to usury. Debt is a heavy burden, let alone when accompanied with usury. Aa’isha [may Allaah be pleased with her] narrated that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to invoke Allaah in the prayer [before the Tasleem] saying, “O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave and from the trial and affliction of Maseeh Ad-Dajjaal and from trial and affliction of life and death. O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sins and from being in debt”. So somebody said to him, “Why do you so frequently seek refuge with Allah from being in debt?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, “A person in debt tells lies whenever he speaks, and breaks promises whenever he makes (them)]”. [13]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] combined (in this supplication between seeking Allah’s refuge) from sins and debt because sins necessitate loss in the afterlife and debt necessitates loss in the worldly life”. [14]
Trade: Also with regards to buying and selling, Shaikh Abdul Wahid Abu Khadeejah [may Allah preserve him] stated: “The way that countries buy and sell with each other does not always help people in poor countries. Producers of crops like wheat and rice will usually sell to the country that will pay them the most for it, so poor countries cannot compete and therefore cannot buy crops to feed their people. So these poor people have to grow their own crops to feed themselves. In many poor countries the rich farmers grow cash crops such as fruit and flowers that they sell to rich countries and their profit often does not help the poor people. So the Muslim is always encouraged to give aid to those less fortunate, so that no one in the land remains hungry, unclothed or unsheltered. Islam has no problem with people becoming wealthy so long as the poor not are neglected; they must be taken care of, helped, educated and empowered to look after themselves. Wealthier Muslims are obligated to give in charity (zakāt) every year, and each Ramadān (zakāt al-fitr)”. [15]
Pay attention to what Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allah preserve him] stated above about empowering and educating poor people and what some of the greedy colonialists stated in the past! Cecil Rhodes stated: “We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap slave labour that is available from the natives of the colonies. The colonies would also provide a dumping ground for the surplus goods of our factories.” Nye Bevin stated: “Africa is a valuable source of manpower and raw materials. The US is very barren of essential minerals. In Africa we have them all.” Larry Summers stated: “I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that.” These were some of their views and its effects are still witnessed in our era in many previous colonies in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. This is the behaviour of a people mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ
وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَو وَّزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ
أَلَا يَظُنُّ أُولَٰئِكَ أَنَّهُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ
لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
يَوْمَ يَقُومُ النَّاسُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Woe to Al-Mutaffifin [those who give less in measure and weight (decrease the rights of others)], those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, demand full measure, and when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Think they not that they will be resurrected (for reckoning), on a Great Day, the Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)? [Surah Al-Mutaffifeen]
Prophet Hud [peace be upon him] and His People
Allah [The Most High] said in Surah Hud Ayah 88 that Shu’aib [peace be upon him] said to his people: [يَا قَوْمِ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي – O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear evidence from my Lord]- Meaning: I am upon certainty and tranquillity regarding the correctness of [the Message] I have brought. [وَرَزَقَنِي مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا – and He (Allah) has given me a good sustenance from Himself]- Meaning: Allah has given me various types of wealth.
[وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ – I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you]- Meaning: I do not wish to forbid you from [the evil practice of giving lower in weight and Measure by way of cheating in business transactions], yet I myself do the same and eventually you will charge me for doing so; rather I will not forbid you from an affair except that I will be the first person to hasten to abandon it; [إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ – I only desire reform so far as I am able, to the best of my power]- Meaning: I do not have any other intentions [goals or aims] other than to rectify your state of affairs and the things that are of benefit to you. And because this statement of Shu’aib contains something which may indicate that he is attributing piety to himself, he repels it with the statement [وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ – And my guidance cannot come except from Allah]-Meaning: The ability I have to do good and to refrain from evil is a bestowal from Allah [The Most High] and it is neither due to my strength nor power; [عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ – in Him I trust and unto Him I repent]- Meaning: I rely on Allah in all my affairs and suffice myself with Him. I turn to Allah in all the various acts of worship He has commanded me to draw close to Him by performing good deeds. By way of these two affairs- seeking aid and assistance from Allah, turning to Him in repentance, complete submission and obedience- a person’s state of affairs becomes upright, just as Allah [The Most High] said in another Aayah: [فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ– So worship Him (O Muhammad) and put your trust in Him]. [16]
Therefore, the affair is not about so called overpopulation, rather the problem is due to Kufr, which leads to every other evil, as Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Everyone with a bit of (sound) intellect knows that the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and (evil) desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives are not entrenched in a heart except that its destruction becomes inevitable nor in a nation except that its affairs are completely corrupted”. [17]
Our Sins and Change of Circumstances
Allah says:
ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ
Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned.
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
This Ayah was revealed regarding the state of affairs of the world- the relationship between it and the events that occur. You see how the occurrence of those evil actions and defects (of the people) affects the harvest, vegetation and the animals in every era, and the manner in which those evil (affairs) necessitates other evils. And whenever the people initiate oppression and wickedness, their Lord (The Blessed and Most High) brings about- from those evils and defects (of theirs)- deficiencies and harm in their nourishments, fruits, atmospheres, bodies, outward appearances and manners, as a justification for their deeds, acts of oppression and wickedness. The majority of the illnesses and the general evil affairs are remnants of the punishment inflicted upon the people of the previous nations; then there remained from that what remains, as a surprise punishment against those who remain upon the (evil) deeds of those previous nations. This is a just judgement and just decree. The Prophet has pointed out this in his statement concerning plagues, that it is a remnant of an affliction or punishment that was sent by Allah to the Children of Israa’eel. [18]
Allah, The Most High, says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ
Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah).
Imam Ibn Al-Jawzee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Whoever loves that the state of affairs should become rectified then let him strive in rectifying (his) deeds. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) says:
وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا
If they had believed in Allah, and went on the Right Way, We should surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance. [19]
The Danger of Sinning Whilst Receiving More Provision
Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ
Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong.
[سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم – We shall gradually seize them with punishment] – by granting them plentiful provision and respite until they think that they will neither be taken to task for their disobedience nor punished, so they increase in disbelief and transgression, and evil upon evil. And through this their punishment is increased and multiplied, so they harm themselves in ways they perceive not. This is why Allah says: [إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ -certainly My Plan is strong]. [20]
سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not”.
Imam Sufyan Ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that this means, “Whenever they commit [major] sins, Allah bestows a blessing on them and make them forgetful of seeking forgiveness”. [21]
Istighfaar
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.” [22]
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 Riyaadus 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 Taalibal 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. Hadeeth reported by Abu Dawud (rahimahullaah)’ Number 5128’ & declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abee Dawud]
[10] See Hadeeth Number 5062′ Vol 4’ page 259′ in Mirqaat Al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh]
[11] Source: Awnul Ahadis Samadi, Sharhu Al-Adab Al-Mufrad’ Vol 1′ Hadeeth Number 256′ page 283]
[12] An Excerpt from I’aanah Al-Mustafeed Bi-Sharhi Kitaab At-Tawheed’ page 55-56]
[13] Bukhaari, Hadeeth Number: 832]
[14]Al-Fawaa-id: page: 97]
[15]https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-causes-of-poverty-in-light-of-climate-change-population-growth-and-other-factors-part-ii-ethics-2-4/ ]
[16] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]
[17] A’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69]
[18] An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i-ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: 1/313
[19] : An Excerpt from ‘Saydul Khaatir’ page: 6]
[20] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]
[21]: Al-Mukhalisiyaat 2352]
[22] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi 18/301-303