Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah, President of the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) and member of the Fiqh Council of North America, states: “Family planning is different from birth control. Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an, “The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months.” (Al-Ahqaf: 15) This is a kind of family planning when the mother waits for a period of time to rest and give enough time for the baby to enjoy the love and care of his or her mother before she gets another one. That is greatly respected in Islam.
However, putting a limit for the number of children, which might be against people’s desires, or choosing not to get pregnant for no just or valid cause, is highly discouraged.
Islam encourages us to get children, but at the same time teaches us to look after them and their mothers and give them sufficient care and love. If the mother wishes to take rest for some time and give her baby enough time to nurture then it is permissible and there is nothing wrong about this.
In any case, we should never look at the issue from a financial perspective because it is beyond our control and it is only Allah that gives, not us. Allah warns us in the Qur’an: “kill not your children on a plea of want – We provide sustenance for you and for them.” (Al-An`am: 151)”