is an honor with which Allah bestowed favor upon the Children of Israel, when He said: “And We made you more numerous in manpower.” [Surah al-Isra 17:6] Shuʿayb also reminded his people of this blessing when he said: “And remember when you were few, then He increased you in number.” [Surah al-Aʿraf 7:86]

Thus, a large community is a source of honor, particularly when its land is suitable for tilling, agriculture, and industry, containing raw materials for industry and the like. By Allah, a large population is never a cause of poverty and unemployment.

Yet, regrettably, some people nowadays choose a woman who may be infertile, preferring her over one who bears many children. They try to ensure that their wives do not give birth until three or four years after marriage, or something similar. This is mistaken, because it runs contrary to what the Prophet ﷺ intended. At times they say, “Raising them is difficult.” We say: If you think well of Allah, Allah will help you.

At other times they say, “The money we have is little.” We say to them: “There is no creature on earth but that its provision is upon Allah.” [Surah Hud 11:6] Sometimes a person sees his provision expand when a child is born to him. A trustworthy man—a merchant—once told me: “Ever since I married, Allah opened for me a door of provision; and when my son so-and-so was born, another door of provision opened.” This is well known, for Allah says: “There is no creature on earth but that its provision is upon Allah.” [Surah Hud 11:6] And He says: “Do not kill your children out of poverty; We provide for you and for them.” [Surah al-Anʿam 6:151] And He says: “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty; We provide for them and for you.” [Surah al-Isra 17:31] And He says: “If they are poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty.” [Surah al-Nur 24:32]

In short, this supposed reason—that children are a cause of poverty—is mistaken.