Is it permissible to delay having a child so that the wife can work, as in the western world?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The council of great scholars which is the Permanent Committee for Research and Iftaa’ in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued the following decision (Fatwa) concerning birth control:

“Birth control is forbidden as a general rule. It is also prohibited if it is done because of poverty.

Allah Says (what means): {And no (moving) living creation is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.} [Quran 11:6]

However, if preventing pregnancy is done for a dire need like when the wife cannot give a normal birth and she needs a caesarean section to take out the baby or that the spouses decide to delay the pregnancy for a particular time (for a benefit valued by both of them), then birth control or delaying birth is permissible. Coitus interruptus is permitted in many authentic Ahadeeth and this is narrated from many Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.

For more benefit on permanent birth control, please refer to Fataawa 119261, 83837, 134895, 87304, 89857 and 84086.

Allah knows best.