What fertility methods can a person use that is not against Sharī'ah?

Print

QUESTION:

What fertility methods can a person use that is not against Sharī'ah?

ANSWER:

Artificial Insemination, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) is only permissible in unavoidable circumstances i.e. when the wife is unable to fall pregnant in the normal and natural way and after the couple had tried alternative medical treatment.

If after trying alternative treatment the couple is still unable to have children, then the above mentioned treatment can be resorted to, on condition that the sperm to be used is only that of the husband and the eggs and the womb are that of the wife.

To use the sperm of any donor other than that of the husband or to use the eggs or womb of any other woman other than that of the wife is totally prohibited and a major sin. Also, to employ a woman to act as a surrogate mother is forbidden. والله أعلم

Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya, Vol. 4. Pg. 337-345