In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Inger Anderson – the executive director of the UN environment programme- said, “We’ve just welcomed the 8 billionth member of the human race on this planet. That’s a wonderful birth of a baby, of course. But we need to understnd that the more people there are, the more we put the Earth under heavy pressure”.

Subhaanallaah! But we need to understand that the more people there are, the more we put the Earth under heavy pressure”. Firstly, remind this person that it is our evil deeds on this earth that leads to every calamity. Allaah made this earth suitable until Yawmul Qiyaamah and there is provision for everyone if fairness prevails and greed disappears. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned.’’ (Soorah Ruum; Ayah:41]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This ayah was revealed regarding the state of affairs of the world- the relationship between it and the events that occur. You see how the occurrence of those evil actions and defects (of the people) affects the harvest, vegetation and the animals in every era, and the manner in which those evil (affairs) necessitates other evils. And whenever the people initiate oppression and wickedness, their Lord (The Blessed and Most High) brings about- from those evils and defects (of theirs)- deficiencies and harm in their nourishments, fruits, atmospheres, bodies, outward appearances and manners, as a justification for their deeds, acts of oppression and wickedness. The majority of the illnesses and the general evil affairs are remnants of the punishment afflicted upon the people of the previous nations; then there remained from that what remains, as a surprise punishment against those who remain upon the (evil) deeds of those previous nations. This is a just judgement and just decree. And indeed the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) has indicated to this in his statement concerning plagues, that it is a remnant of an affliction or punishment that was sent by Allaah to the Children of Israa’eel. [An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i-ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: page: 313: Vol:2. slightly paraphrased]

Read: Family: [The Number of Children We Want, Giving The Wife a Break to Recover Properly Before The Birth of Another Child etc] – By Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah preserve him]: https://salaficentre.com/2020/01/07/family-the-number-of-children-we-want-giving-the-wife-a-break-to-recover-properly-before-the-birth-of-another-child-etc-by-shaikh-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz/

Shaikh Abdul Waahid Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] said, “According to scientists, another cause of poverty is population growth in countries that cannot afford to feed the extra mouths. Most rich countries have a stable population with roughly as many babies born as people dying. However, in poor countries, the populations seem to be increasing. Muslims, as rule, are not allowed to use contraception due to fear of not being able to provide for their children – they learn from the Quran that Allah will enrich them from Himself from ways and means that He provides. Population control measures are not from the Islamically legislated means to remove poverty – this is proven by the fact that there is sufficient food and resources in the world to feed the poor many times over daily! Added to that is the reality that large populations are a tremendous resource for a nation. Countries with large populations are quite often the wealthiest and have the fastest growing economies. Note: In certain situations, contraception is permitted and I have discussed that elsewhere. Islam teaches that poor people must be helped with education, skills, charity, better infrastructure and better health care. In this way the poor are not neglected and the wealth of the rich is purified in the sight of Allāh through the giving of charity. People have large families because the family unit helps each other and they care for their elders. Death of young children is much higher in poorer countries due to sicknesses and disease. So, the Muslims have a duty to help the poor, even if they are non-Muslims. The Prophet said, ‘Give charity to people of other Religions’” (Shaikh Al-Albānī said it was an authentic Hadīth, in As-Saheehah). https://abukhadeejah.com/the-causes-of-poverty-in-light-of-climate-change-population-growth-and-other-factors-part-ii-ethics-2-4/