While it is easy to argue in theory with respects to rights to reproduction for every couple, and especially those who want to adhere to the religious principles of having “more” children, it still leaves families living under these types of legislation in very difficult predicaments.

For some communities, it is easier to speak up against these types of legislation, whether be it based on personal choice (based on the guidelines of the WHO, perhaps), or freedom of religious practice and beliefs. For the latter, it is imperative that Muslim leaders and Islamic scholars do justice to the population (Muslim or not), who wish to oppose these types of legislations, as again, it very much violates the personal choices and decisions of family planning. This is also a grand opportunity to spread the da’wah of Islam, whether living in a Muslim-majority country or as a Muslim minority in a non-Muslim country.

Accordingly, Muslim participation is needed in improving living standards, educational resources, redistributing basic resources (such as food and water), and other incentives to enhance the standards of living, where in which there are concerns with respects to overpopulation, or generally, poor situational circumstances for poorer families. This would put a lot of fears to rest.

As with Islam encouraging family planning, especially with respects to the health of the childbearing mother and the welfare of the children she bears, sexual and reproduction education would definitely be a plus factor for many couples to make better informed choices, without “burdening” the government or communities that they live in. This isn’t to put childbearing couples in a negative light, but to gain better knowledge and understanding when it comes to reproduction, for healthier pregnancies, babies, and mothers.

Outreach to international bodies related to human rights would be an avenue to look into in order for camaraderie with those who advocate such basic rights. Creating awareness often is able to put pressure upon governments to relax laws that conflict with individual preferences.

While all these are suggestions, they can only be seen through if there is unity within the communities, as well as support from the outside. As we know, there are countries that are absolutely stringent with their laws, and limitations on procreation have reigned supreme despite criticism and protests.

In these cases – besides migration as an option – there is the reluctant option of abiding the law, in order to take the route with the lesser evils. I say this – with extreme reluctance - after knowing of stories of assaults upon expectant couples - the mother especially - leading to forced abortion / birth rape, and punishing the grieving couple by putting them through the same and more. Knowing these risks (and the risks associated with forced abortion), perhaps it is wiser to place value on the life of the mother, over and above the life of the next child before he or she is conceived, if it can be prevented, (as always, Allah is in charge of conception).

http://www.onislam.net/english/family/your-society/480267-family-planning-religion-a-social-pressures-.html