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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(5) “ Ruling of Sharia on Artificial Insemination “

Date Added : 25-01-2018

Resolution No.(5) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:      

“Ruling of Sharia on Artificial Inseminatio“

Date: 25/10/1404 AH; 24/7/1984 AD

 

Question: What is the ruling of Sharia on artificial insemination?

Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Almighty Allah Has Honored human beings in His Book where He Says (What means): “We have honored the sons of Adam.“ {70/al-Isra`}.

Part of this honor is embodied in the keenness of Sharia on protecting lineage and preserving fatherhood of fathers, motherhood of mothers and filiation of children by true natural kinship and observance of chastity and virtue in building the family, and forming the community.

Allah Has also Embodied this honor in making legitimate marriage the natural means of forming the family and begetting children, and in forbidding adultery as it leads to mixing lineage, severing kinship ties, and violating honor. He Says in the Noble Quran (What means): “O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence God, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for God ever watches over you.“ {An-Nissa`/1}.

This honor is a favor and a grace that Almighty Allah Has Bestwed upon His servants; it is the natural means legislated by Him for begetting children, which is amongst the intentions of Sharia from marriage.

 

Allah Creates a child from the insemination of an ovum in a wife`s womb by a husband`s sperm. Allah  Says in this regard (What means): “Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.“ {Al-Innsan/2}. As a result, the born child leads his/her life having a legitimate relationship of lineage to his/her father, so he/she acquires a natural relationship with his/her parents, brothers, sisters and relatives; consequently, he/she is neither a stranger to them, nor attributed in lineage to a strange person as well. Allah Says (What means): “Call them by (the names of) their fathers: that is juster in the sight of God.“ {Al-Ahzaab/5}.

Allah Has Decreed that people be called by the names of their fathers for He Says in the Noble Quran (What means): “Call them by (the names of) their fathers: that is juster in the sight of God.“ {Al-Ahzaab/5}. Moreover, it was reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If somebody claims to be the son of somebody other than his father knowingly, he will be denied Paradise (i.e. he will not enter Paradise.“ {Bukhari &Muslim}. The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “If somebody claims to be the son of somebody other than his father knowingly, or takes a master other than his real masters will incur the curse of Allah, the angels and all the people, and Allah will not accept his compulsory or optional good deeds.” {Bukhari and Muslim}.

Artificial insemination is either conducted by using the sperm of the husband or someone else`s. Such a procedure is permissible in case of necessity if the wife`s ovum was fertilized with her husband`s sperm, provided that lineage is safeguarded since maximum care must be undertaken while preserving the ovum, and those who carry out this procedure must be very cautious in this regard as well. This is in order for the fertilized ovum not to mix with other fertilized ova because any mistake, or act of carelessness in this regard will lead to serious effects on man, blood ties , and honor. In addition, the staff conducting this procedure must be tightly monitored, and it is better that trustworthy and honorable physicians take charge of it. This way, the aforementioned procedure doesn`t contradict the intentions and the rulings of Sharia, in addition to becoming permissible.

However, if the insemination was conducted by using a sperm other than that of a woman`s husband, then it is considered forbidden absolutely and without the least suspicion. In fact, it is similar to disguised Zina (adultery) since it leads to the mixing of lineage and wasting the favor of having relationships of lineage and marriage, which are a good fruit of lawful marriage. Allah Says in this regard (What means): “It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).” {Al-Forqaan/54}. Unlawful insemination is a kind of forgery that leads to mixing lineage. Islam has totally rejected it, and came up with a way for putting an end to it once and for all by prohibiting adoption where a man isn`t called by the name of his father. Almighty Allah Says in this regard (What means): “God has not made for any man two hearts in his (one) body: nor has He made your wives whom ye divorce by Zihar your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons your sons. Such is (only) your (manner of) speech by your mouths. But God tells (you) the Truth, and He shows the (right) Way.“ {Al-Ahzaab/4}.

Artificial insemination between unmarried people poses a greater danger than adoption as far as familial ties and lineage are concerned. It also contradicts the intention of Sharia behind legislating marriage, and paves the way for the emergence of grave evils and sins, which should be dealt with cautiously  and leashed decisively.

There is a moral lesson for Muslims from what is happening to western societies in terms of the deterioration of their familial ties. Nevertheless, the family is the primary pillar in building society and subjecting it to doubts and lack of confidence by questioning the lineage of its members will lead to the destruction and break up of society through losing the bond that ties a child with his father. As Muslims, we should make use of the experiences of others and learn a lesson from the desperate situation of the western society resulting from the break up of familial ties, and we should also adhere to the Sharia of Allah so as to remain on the righteous path.

Since adherence to the Ordainments of Allah, The Almighty, putting them into effect, and abiding by their limits are some of the greatest favors that He Has Bestowed upon us. And Allah Knows Best.

 

The Iftaa`Board

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on seeking forgiveness between the two Friday sermons?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to seek forgiveness (Istighfar) between the two Friday sermons (Khutbatayn), and it does not invalidate the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah). Furthermore, it is not disliked (Makruh) to speak before the sermon, after it, or between the two sermons. Likewise, it is not disliked for one who enters during the sermon to speak if there is a need for it, provided he has not yet taken a place and settled into it. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on objecting to the Mosque Imam regarding the joining of prayers due to rain?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is not permissible for any of the congregants to object to the Imam in the mosque, whether the objection is to demand the joining of prayers or to oppose it; for the general principle is that the Imam possesses the religious knowledge (Al-Ilm al-Shar‘i) that qualifies him to make the decision in this matter. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What is the ruling on using an inhaler while fasting?

Using an inhaler through the nose or mouth breaks the fast because the medication in these inhalers is intended to reach the lungs, which are considered part of the body cavity (jauf).
● If a person needs to use it occasionally, they may use it while fasting, continue refraining from food and drink for the rest of the day, and make up for the missed fast later.
● If a person needs to use it daily, they may use it while fasting, continue refraining from food and drink, and pay fidyah (feeding one needy person per missed day).

What is the waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away, and what is the ruling on her wearing gold?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away is four months and ten days for one who is not pregnant. As for a pregnant woman, her waiting period lasts until she gives birth. It is obligatory for her to remain in the marital home, only leaving for a necessity. During this time, it is prohibited (Haram) to display any form of adornment on the body or clothing; this includes wearing kohl, gold, all types of perfume, and dyeing the hair. Likewise, it is prohibited to receive a direct marriage proposal or to marry during this period.
 
It was narrated by Umm 'Atiyyah that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'We were forbidden to mourn for a deceased person for more than three days, except for a husband, for whom the mourning period is four months and ten days. During this time, we were not to use kohl, nor wear perfume, nor wear dyed clothing except for garments made of 'Asb (coarsely dyed yarn). We were, however, granted a concession at the time of purification—when one of us bathed following her menses—to use a small amount of Kust (costus) or Azfar (fragrant substances). We were also forbidden from following funeral processions.' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari). And Allah the Exalted knows best."

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