Is it haram for muslims with disabilities to have children?

Question

my name is Alessandro and I'm a 25 year old boy, I've been a muslim for about a year. I have a doubt that I'm not sure I'll find the answer in the Holy Scriptures. I think it's a difficult question, I haven't found any answers on the internet.

I have severe deafness and it gets worse every year as does my nearsightedness. And not only that, i can get sick easily but that doesn't stop me from working hard.

I can work hard to support my family, so i would like to get married and have children. My question is, can i have children? I may be able to raise them with the help of my wife and family. But I fear to anger Allah and fall from His Grace.

I think that's a legitimate question to ask, because people have always looked down on people with disabilities. And so often families are ashamed to have children with problems because they are regarded as a disgrace from God. I hope to get an answer...

Answer 1

It is never haram to have children. Rather it is categorically recommended to have them:

فالآن باشروهن وابتغوا ما كتب الله لكم

So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you [i.e., offspring].

^{— Quran 2:187}

‏ تزوجوا الولود الودود فإني مكاثر بكم

Marry the one who is fertile and loving, for I will boast of your great numbers.

^{— Abu Dawud and Nasai}

Fear of not being able to raise children because of a lack of means is misplaced:

ولا تقتلوا أولادكم خشية إملاق نحن نرزقهم وإياكم

And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you.

^{— Quran 17:31}

Fear of having disabled children is not a reason which makes reproduction haram. Whether or not the child inherits the disability is Allah's will - He can grant a disabled child to healthy parents, and He can grant a healthy child to disabled parents. Also whether or not you actually manage to have a child or are able avoid its birth via contraception is Allah's will.

ما من نسمة كائنة إلى يوم القيامة إلا هي كائنة

There is no soul that is destined to exist but will come into existence, till the Day of Resurrection.

^{— Bukhari}

Also see: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/267083/