Short answer
No, it is not haram, and being unable to have children is no sin at all. Having children is a sunnah the Prophet ﷺ encouraged, not a fard. In the Hanafi school a couple may delay or limit children by mutual agreement, but choosing never to have any without a valid reason is disliked, and permanent sterilisation without medical need is haram.
Having children is sunnah and encouraged. Temporary contraception is permissible with the wife's consent. Refusing children for life out of fear of poverty or dislike of children is makruh, and permanently ending fertility is haram except for real medical need.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Allows withdrawal (azl) even without the wife's consent, though it is disliked; the Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools require her consent.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ told his followers to marry women who are loving and able to bear children, because he would take pride in the size of his ummah. Allah calls wealth and children the adornment of this life. At the same time, when the Companions asked about withdrawal, the Prophet ﷺ did not forbid it, and Allah says He makes whom He wills barren. So children are a blessing to seek, not a command whose absence is a sin.
Different situations:
- Infertility: no blame and no sin. It is Allah's decree, and patience with it is rewarded.
- Delaying or spacing children for health, study or money: permissible by mutual agreement. See birth control.
- Not wanting children at all: not haram as a feeling, and a medical or serious reason makes it permissible. Refusing children for life because of fear of poverty goes against trust in Allah, who says He provides for you and them.
- Sterilisation: haram unless doctors advise it for a real health reason. See birth control methods.
In marriage: children are a shared right of the husband and wife. One spouse should not decide alone, and it is wise to discuss it before the nikah. If one wants children and the other refuses, talk with a scholar or counsellor rather than let it grow into resentment.
If the hesitation comes from fear, past trauma or worry about raising children well, those feelings deserve care, not guilt. Many couples find their worries ease with time and support.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Kahf 18:46
ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًۭا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًۭا ﴿٤٦﴾
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.
Children are a blessing of this world.
Quran, Surah Ash-Shura 42:50
أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًۭا وَإِنَٰثًۭا ۖ وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۭ قَدِيرٌۭ ﴿٥٠﴾
Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.
Having no children is Allah's decree, not a sin.
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:31
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَٰدَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْـًۭٔا كَبِيرًۭا ﴿٣١﴾
And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.
Fear of poverty is not a reason to reject children.
Sunan Abi Dawud 2050
Graded hasan sahih... تزوجوا الودود الولود فإني مكاثر بكم الأمم ...
"Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will take pride in your great numbers before the nations."
Having children is encouraged.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2542
Sahih... ما عليكم أن لا تفعلوا ...
"There is no harm if you do not do it."
The Prophet did not forbid withdrawal, which shows avoiding pregnancy is not haram in itself.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Nikah, chapter on the slave woman's marriage, discussion of azl. Azl is permitted with the free wife's consent.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Nikah, discussion of azl. The Shafi'i view on azl without consent.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.