We have recently witnessed a profound shift in family life across Western societies, where delaying childbirth after marriage has become an increasingly common and socially accepted phenomenon. While early childbirth was once a natural desire anticipated by every couple, postponing pregnancy is now viewed as a responsible choice reflecting the couple’s awareness of their professional, economic, and psychological priorities.

This shift did not rise from nowhere. It is closely tied to a web of complex factors, including the rising role of women in the workforce, increasing costs of living and education, economic instability, and the influence of ideological currents advocating individual autonomy and the postponement of family responsibilities.

Changing Concepts of Family and Marriage

How could the instinct to bear children remain unaffected when the very concept of family has been distorted? In many Western countries, marriage is no longer seen as a societal or religious necessity, but rather as an emotional partnership that may be temporary or informal. This shift has led to the emergence of new relationship models, such as cohabitation, weakening the traditional concept of family and contributing to lower childbirth rates within marriage. Many couples now perceive children as a financial burden or an obstacle to self-fulfillment, travel, and career promotions. This has had a direct impact on declining fertility rates in Western societies—reaching alarming levels that threaten the long-term stability of demographics and economy.

Recent statistics show a marked increase in the average age at which women have their first child. In the European Union, the average age reached 29.8 years in 2023, with variation across countries—Italy recording the highest at 31.8 years and Bulgaria the lowest at 26.9. In the United States, the average rose to 27.5 years in 2023 compared to 24.9 in 2000. This delay has significantly contributed to declining fertility rates: the EU’s fertility rate dropped to 1.38 children per woman, its lowest since 1961, with a 5.4% decrease in births compared to the previous year. In the U.S., the fertility rate fell to 54.5 births per 1,000 women aged 15–44—the lowest since 1979.

Studies show that this delay is linked to multiple factors. In the U.S., more than half of women holding a master’s degree or higher had their first child after age 30, with 20% delaying until after 35. In London, there has been a rise in childbirth among women over 40, as they strive for professional stability before becoming mothers. Housing costs have also played a role, with areas like London seeing fertility rates fall to 1.35 children per woman—the lowest in the country. Another study indicates that delayed parenthood could shrink American family sizes by 35%, fundamentally altering family structures.

As a result, delayed childbearing has become a socially acceptable option—seen as a responsible decision, especially among women in demanding careers. One study found that 64% of female physicians postponed childbearing to focus on their careers.

However, postponing pregnancy—especially beyond age 35—carries significant risks. It increases the likelihood of infertility, miscarriage, preterm birth, and complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. The risk of having children with Down syndrome also rises. In addition, it can strain marital relationships, widen generational gaps, and shrink family size, leading to fertility rates that fall below replacement level. This accelerates population aging, weakens the economy by shrinking the workforce, and increases pressure on pension and healthcare systems. The demand for assisted reproductive technologies rises, along with healthcare costs due to complex births and chronic diseases associated with late pregnancies, such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

A Core Objective of Marriage in Islam

In Islam, procreation is one of the main objectives of marriage—indeed, it is among the higher objectives of the Shariah, particularly the preservation of progeny. Allah says, “And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren.” (An-Nahl: 72) The Prophet ﷺ also encouraged having many children, saying: “Marry women who are loving and very prolific, for I shall outnumber the peoples by you.” (Abu Dawood and An-Nasa’i) Thus, childbearing is transformed from a biological act into an act of worship, a means of building the earth, and a guarantee of the continuity of the Ummah.

When is Delaying Childbirth Permissible?

Despite this emphasis, Islamic Sharia does not prohibit delaying pregnancy when there is a valid reason, such as physical weakness, the need to rest between pregnancies, chronic illness, or exceptional circumstances that hinder proper upbringing, so long as both spouses agree. Imam Al-Ghazali mentioned in Ihya’ Ulum ad-Din that 'azl (coitus interruptus)—an early method of birth control—was permissible if agreed upon by both spouses. Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) also ruled that delaying pregnancy for a year or two is permissible if agreed upon and not harmful. However, this allowance is conditioned on the absence of any intent to permanently avoid childbirth or a fear of poverty, as warned against in the ayah: “And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you.” (Al-Isra’: 31) Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “In the period when the Qur'an was coming down they used to withdraw the penis.” i.e. before emission of semen, to avoid conception. (Bukhari and Muslim) Had it been forbidden, the Prophet ﷺ would have prohibited it.

Nonetheless, this should not become a pretext for habitual and indefinite postponement of childbirth. Nor is it permissible to resort to methods that are forbidden under Islamic Sharia. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ has stated that permanent birth control is impermissible because it contradicts the Islamic aim of increasing the ummah. However, they allowed temporary birth spacing for valid reasons, such as breastfeeding or the mother’s health, and also permitted the use of contraceptive pills for delaying pregnancy if no harm results.

As for permanent sterilization methods, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy ruled that removing the capacity for reproduction—whether in a man or woman—is not permissible except in cases of genuine necessity, such as when pregnancy poses a real threat to the mother’s life or causes unbearable hardship or illness. In such cases, permanent methods may be used only if no suitable temporary alternatives exist. Thus, the method must be evaluated based on the actual harm and should be limited to necessity without exceeding.

Ultimately, there must be a balance between personal desires for delay and the broader mission of the Muslim family, which bears the responsibility of continuing and nurturing the Ummah. A Muslim is not a mere consumer who seeks only personal comfort but an active contributor who carries the concern of the Ummah.

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