One of Allah’s greatest blessings is having children. In fact, the biggest reason why marriage is supported in Islam is to have offspring. Muslim couples strive to have a righteous child. However, not every couple enjoys a smooth conception and pregnancy journey. If you have been struggling to get pregnant, you are not alone.
Many couples wonder whether seeking advanced medical treatments is permissible in Islam. In other words, is IVF halal or haram? We have created a detailed post that answers all your questions regarding IVF from Islamic and scientific perspectives. Read on to know whether you are allowed to go this route and what conditions you must follow.
What is IVF? (Test Tube Baby)
Let’s begin with the IVF process. Also called a test tube baby, IVF is quite a straightforward process. In a nutshell, this ART procedure involves egg fertilization outside a woman’s body.
To clarify how it works, we’ve listed the step-by-step explanation of IVF. Here’s a quick look:
Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation
IVF starts with ovarian induction. The higher the number of eggs released, the better the chances you’ll conceive. You need ovarian stimulation medication for 8-14 days.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
You are monitored regularly to check whether the eggs are ready for collection. The doctor then schedules egg retrieval, a process to collect eggs from your ovaries through a small surgical procedure using ultrasound guidance. It’s generally painless, as the entire process is carried out under light sedation.
Step 3: Sperm Collection
The next step is collecting your partner’s sperm on the day your eggs are retrieved. They can collect the sample in the clinic or send it from home.
Step 4: Fertilization
Once the eggs and sperm are collected, they are mixed together in an embryology lab. Manual fusion with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) might be recommended in case of low sperm count.
Step 5: Embryo Culture
After fertilization, the embryo develops. During this period, the embryo’s growth is monitored using advanced technology, like the MIRI time-lapse incubator.
Step 6: Embryo Transfer
The best-quality embryo is picked and transferred to the woman’s uterus in an outpatient setting. It is a quick procedure and doesn’t require anesthesia.
A woman is advised to take a home pregnancy test in two weeks after embryo transfer.
Islamic Perspective on IVF
Coming to the main question, Is IVF allowed in Islam? The short answer is yes. Islam supports the idea of seeking medical treatment for all types of illnesses, and infertility is not an exception. That said, there are certain rulings and conditions that you must meet to keep it halal. Let’s take a look at what Shariah allows:
Marital Status
IVF is halal for a husband and wife. It’s mandatory for the partners to be married to each other during fertilization and embryo transfer.
No Donor Involved
Getting a donor’s eggs, sperm, or embryo is considered haram. It’s like committing adultery since having a donor means involving a third person in your marriage, which is against the Shariah boundaries. So, it’s important that the eggs and sperm collected are from the husband and wife and not a donor.
Surrogacy
Likewise, transferring your embryo to another woman’s womb is not permissible. It creates confusion in the lineage. It’s forbidden for a man to impregnate another woman, as that’s a form of Zina (practicing sexual intercourse outside of marriage)
That sums up the Islamic ruling on IVF. Simply put, in vitro fertilization in Islam is a halal procedure, given that a married couple uses their eggs and sperm to create an embryo, which is transferred to the wife’s uterus.
Fatwas and Statements by Pakistani Religious Authorities
A Grand Shaikh from Al-Azhar University in Egypt issued a statement in 1980 that IVF is permissible in Islam. The only condition is that the sperm and eggs must be those of the mother and father and not a third party.
The Council of Islamic Ideology of Pakistan also legalized IVF in 1930. The major Shariat court declared that a child born through IVF, given that the mother’s and the father’s gametes are fertilized and the embryo is transferred into the mother’s uterus, will be considered lawful and legal.
Common Misconceptions
Despite so much awareness about IVF, people still have doubts about its legal status. They are mainly concerned about whether the act is acceptable in Shariat or is unnatural and un-Islamic. Let’s debunk some common myths that might keep you from using this modern ART technology for conception.
Myth 1: The Baby is Not Natural
“It is He Who creates you in the wombs of your mothers…” – Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:6
Fact: You are not going against Allah’s will. When the egg and sperm unite, an embryo develops, which attaches to the woman’s uterine lining and develops into a fetus. With IVF, the entire process occurs in the same way but outside the body.
Myth 2: IVF is for Couples Who are Desperate
Fact: No, seeking treatment for an illness is not haram. Likewise, infertility is a medical issue that needs treatment. If needed, you can opt for IVF. It doesn’t make you desperate. You are only seeking medical assistance for fulfilling your desire to having children.
Myth 3: Islam Doesn’t Allow Women to Get Checked by Male Doctors
“Necessity makes the prohibited permissible” (Al-darurat tubih al-mahzurat).
Fact: While it’s mandatory to maintain modesty, women can absolutely seek treatment from a male doctor if there’s no female doctor available.
Myth 4: You Don’t Have Faith in Allah
Fact: Man needs to show effort along with Dua to see results. Remember, Tawakkul is all about Dua + effort. You can seek IVF treatment from a professional while having faith in Allah that it will work in your favor.
Ethical Guidelines for Halal IVF in Pakistan
Islam doesn’t prohibit IVF, but it does have some conditions every couple considering this fertility treatment must follow:
Both Husband and Wife Must be Ready: IVF should not be a single parent’s decision. Both must mutually agree to go through IVF.
Do not Use Gametes for Commercial Purposes: You can’t sell or buy eggs, sperm, or an embryo. Any sort of commercial use is prohibited and considered unethical.
Privacy Matters: You must research the fertility clinic, talk to their specialists, and read reviews before proceeding. Confidentiality must be your priority. Make sure the fertility specialist or staff doesn’t disclose your personal data to anyone without your consent.
IVF Services in Pakistan for Muslim Couples
Pakistan has advanced fertility clinics that offer IVF for Muslim couples facing difficulty in getting pregnant. Whether it’s male-factor or female-factor infertility, you can expect quality treatment with 100% confidentiality and exceptional care. Australian Concept, particularly, is famous for its Islamic approach to offering infertility treatments. At Australian Concept, the fertility specialists follow Islamic rulings for IVF to ensure that the entire procedure aligns with our culture.
Final Words
Just like you seek medical treatment for illnesses, infertility requires treatment. This clarifies that IVF is permissible when done within the limits of Shariat. Follow the ethical guidelines listed above and talk to a fertility specialist in Pakistan to know more about the procedure’s success rate and safety. If you are still unsure, seek advice from religious scholars. They will be able to guide you.
FAQs
What does the Quran say about IVF success?
There isn’t a specific verse in the Quran regarding IVF, as it’s modern technology, but certain verses clarify that Allah grants children to whom he will. If he doesn’t, no matter what treatments you seek, you won’t conceive.
Is sperm freezing halal?
Yes, sperm freezing is halal.
Is IVF halal to choose gender?
Yes, you can, but only when it’s medically needed or for family balancing.
How to treat infertility in Islam?
Medication, surgery, and even IVF are allowed, but only as long as you follow Islamic rulings.
Is genetic testing allowed in Islam?
Yes, it’s allowed for medical reasons.
Is IVF legal in Pakistan?
Yes, IVF is legal in Pakistan.
