Islam’s Saving Grace: Unleashing Hope in the Face of Depopulation

By Humaira Wajahat

The depopulation crisis is an alarming and imminent threat that looms over Western civilization, casting a dark shadow on its future. In a misguided attempt to address concerns about overpopulation, the West once preached the virtues of having no or fewer babies. However, this ill-conceived notion has now come back to haunt the West, as it finds itself grappling with the dire consequences of a dwindling population. The West, once a beacon of progress and prosperity, now stands helpless in the face of this crisis, desperately seeking to replenish its dwindling numbers through immigration.

The decline in childbirth rates has been a significant factor contributing to the depopulation crisis. Western societies, driven by changing social norms and economic pressures, have witnessed a steady decline in the number of children being born. The pursuit of individual aspirations, career advancements, and the rising cost of raising a child have all played a role in discouraging couples from embracing parenthood. As a result, birth rates have plummeted to alarmingly low levels, pushing Western nations toward the brink of demographic disaster.

Infertility has also emerged as a contributing factor to the depopulation crisis. The modern lifestyle, characterized by stress, sedentary habits, and environmental factors, has affected reproductive health. Couples are increasingly facing difficulties in conceiving, further exacerbating the already declining birth rates. The advancements in medical science have provided some respite, but the widespread prevalence of infertility remains a pressing concern that continues to hinder population growth.

To counter the depopulation crisis, the West has turned to immigration to acquire youth and sustain its civilization. The influx of immigrants from developing nations has become a lifeline for Western societies struggling to balance an aging population and a shrinking workforce. However, this solution is not without its challenges and controversies. The cultural clashes, economic strains, and social tensions that arise from immigration pose significant hurdles to the integration and harmonious coexistence of diverse populations.

The depopulation crisis is not merely a statistical phenomenon; it is a profound threat to the very fabric of Western civilization. A dwindling population means a diminished workforce, reduced innovation, and a weakened economy. It also threatens the sustainability of social welfare systems as a smaller working-age population struggles to support an aging one. Moreover, a declining population can lead to a loss of cultural identity and a dilution of the values and traditions that have shaped Western societies for centuries.

Bold action is needed to address the depopulation crisis and safeguard the future of Western civilization. Governments must prioritize policies incentivizing childbirth, such as financial support, flexible work arrangements, and affordable childcare. Investments in reproductive health and fertility treatments should be increased to combat infertility and ensure that couples have the opportunity to start families. Simultaneously, efforts should be made to balance immigration and integration, fostering a sense of unity and shared values while embracing the diversity that immigrants bring.

The depopulation crisis in the West is a wake-up call for the rest of the World, a stark reminder that the choices we make today, by blindly following the West and neglecting what Allah orders us, have far-reaching consequences for the future.

It is well known that since ancient times children have been the hope of the Prophets and Messengers and all of the righteous slaves of Allah, and that will continue to be the case so long as man’s innate nature (fitrah) remains sound. Children are a blessing whom people love and on whom they pin their hopes.

Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed to his Lord, saying (interpretation of the meaning):

“My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous” [al-Saffat 37:100]

And Allah says of Zakariyya (peace be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):

“When he called out to his Lord (Allah) a call in secret.

He said: ‘My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, and I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!

And verily, I fear my relatives after me, and my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir.

Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya’qub (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not of wealth). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-Pleased!’

(Allah said) ‘O Zakariyya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, whose name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him)’” [Maryam 19:3–7]

Allah praises His righteous slaves in many ways, such as when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqun (the pious)’” [al-Furqan 25:74]

And Allah tells us that Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) commanded his people to remember Allah’s blessing to them when He made them many after they had been few. He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you” [al-A’raf 7:86]

Abu Dawud (2050) narrated that Ma’qil ibn Yasar said: A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “I have found a woman who is of good lineage and is beautiful, but she does not bear children. Should I marry her?” He said, “No.” Then he came again with the same question and told him not to marry her. Then he came a third time with the same question, and he said: “Marry those who are loving and fertile, for I will be proud of your great numbers before the other nations.” (Classed as sahih by al-Albani in Irwa al-Ghalil, 1784).

This hadith indicates that it is encouraged to marry fertile women so that the numbers of the ummah will increase and so the Prophet ﷺ will feel proud of his ummah before all other nations. This shows that it is encouraged to have a lot of children.

For the West, it is time to shed the misguided notions of the past and embrace a bold and proactive approach to population growth. As for us Muslims, Allah’s rulings have been helping to save us from a depopulation crisis. The survival and prosperity of western civilization today depends on its ability to confront this crisis head-on, ensuring that future generations can inherit a vibrant, thriving, and culturally rich society.