What is the شرع (Islamic law) ruling on a husband’s refusal to have children, citing the difficulty of raising them, while his wife desires to have more, in accordance with the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "I will be proud of your large numbers before the other nations"?

The believer must submit to Allah's command, decree, and law. What Allah and His Messenger have legislated contains benefit for everyone and goodness in this world and the hereafter, as Allah Almighty says: "And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; what they chose is not for them," and He says: "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair."

The Sharia has encouraged increasing progeny for the sake of populating the earth, obeying Allah, and strengthening Islam. Limiting or cutting off progeny contradicts these objectives. Among the prophetic hadiths indicating this is his (peace be upon him) saying: "Marry the affectionate, fertile woman, for I shall be proud of your numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection."

Therefore, the Muslim must comply, for perhaps among the children will be one whom Allah rectifies and who benefits their parents during their lives and supplicates for them after their death, as mentioned in the hadith: "When a person dies, all his deeds cease except for three: a continuous charity, knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who supplicates for him."