Assalamualaikum, My father is 77 years old. He lost his wife 3 yrs ago. he has 10 grown up children.His children are talking care of him in everything. My father has Diabetes, heart problem, Pancreatitist and deep vein thrombosis. he wanted to remarry since my mom died. So we bring him a wife who is 47 yrs old .she has hemoglobin low and Hypothroidism. Because of the situation ,we gave her birth control pills and they refused because of they think birth control pill is haram. if we do not let her use, they may bring children with multiple diagnosis and he or she cannot look after themself. they cannot look after these children also. it can harm both of their medical issues too. I would like to know the Fatawa that it is permissable to use birth control in this situation or not? thank you. May Allah bless you all.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Having children is one of the most important objectives for which Islam legislated marriage, and Allaah blessed His slaves with the blessing of having children as Allaah says (what means): {And Allaah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then in falsehood do they believe and in the favor of Allaah they disbelieve?} [Quran 16:72]

The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, urged Muslims to have children as he said: "Marry the friendly and prolific woman, as I will outnumber the Prophets (i.e. other nations) by you (by your abundant number) on the Day of Judgment." [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and Al-Bayhaqi on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik] In another Hadeeth, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Marry and have children for I will boast of your large numbers in front of other nations on the Day of Judgment.” [Abdur-Razzaaq and Al-Bayhaqi on the authority of Sa'eed ibn Abi Hilaal]

Having children is the right of the spouses, so the matter depends upon your father and his wife. They are more aware whether or not they are able to take care of a child, and they may also get a maid if they need. In short, since they want to have children, then no one has the right to interfere or prevent them from doing so.

We have previously explained the permissibility of temporary birth control when necessary and its conditions, so please refer to Fataawa 87155 and 89833.

Allaah Knows best.