A Critical Analysis of Traditional Arguments Against Childbearing and Clarification of Their True Meaning

In religious texts, childbearing has always been emphasized and encouraged, yet certain statements appear to condemn it and seem to contradict other evidence. Given the importance of childbearing and population growth, as well as the necessity of resolving intra-religious contradictions, it is essential to examine and clarify the precise meaning of the transmitted evidence (religious proofs) that seemingly condemn childbearing and to determine how to address these apparent contradictions. The main research question is: what is the true meaning of the transmitted evidence condemning childbearing, and what criticisms can be made against interpreting such evidence as advocating birth control? The research hypothesis is that there is no real contradiction among these transmitted proofs, and the statements that appear to condemn childbearing do not, in fact, intend to censure it. The primary objective of this research is to elucidate the meaning of the relevant religious texts and to resolve their apparent contradictions by critiquing the evidence that seemingly condemns childbearing. The secondary objective is to remove intra-religious obstacles to promoting childbearing. To achieve the goals of this theoretical, problem-oriented research—which seeks to expand existing knowledge—data were collected using library methods, focusing on hadith and exegetical texts. Subsequently, these data were analyzed through transmitted (naqli) and rational ('aqli) analyses, as well as comparisons with other relevant evidence. The research results indicate that the notion of the condemnation of childbearing in transmitted evidence stems from a lack of depth in understanding terms such as "balāʾ" (divine trial), confusion between a complete cause (ʿillat al-tāmmah) and a preparatory cause (ʿillat al-iʿdādī), and neglect of the context of the hadiths. Once these considerations are clarified, it becomes evident that the aforementioned transmitted evidence does not imply the condemnation of childbearing.