All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Scholars define plant cloning as: a process of propagation, or a biological procedure through which a group of homogeneous or heterogeneous cells are generated from a single cell; resulting in a plant with enhanced production that reproduces without any change in its genetic makeup.
The fundamental principle is that Allah the Almighty has subjugated the earth and all within it for the benefit of humankind. Allah says {what means}: " And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect." [Al-Jathiyah/13]. Moreover, Allah says {what means}: "It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer." [Hud/61]. He has commanded humanity to cultivate the earth righteously and to avoid that which corrupts it, for its corruption leads to the corruption of their own livelihood. Allah says {what means}: " Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of God is (always) near to those who do good." [Al-A'raf/56].
In light of this, the scientific scope permitted by Islamic law regarding the utilization of cloning – excluding human cloning – can be defined by two key principles: the pursuit of benefits and the prevention of harms.
The determination of these benefits and harms is referred to the people of expertise and specialization among scientists and jurists. If this process leads to the improvement of plants and the enhancement of their production quality in a manner that yields benefit without leading to harm, and if there is a genuine need for it that results in improving the plant's quality or increasing the yield of these plants without causing harm to the consumer or disrupting the botanical system, then there is no prohibition in it. However, if the process of plant cloning leads to harm for humans or a disruption in the botanical system, then it is not permissible.
As stated in the resolution of the Islamic Fiqh Academy during its tenth session held in Jeddah in 1997 CE: "Fourthly: It is permissible, according to Islamic law, to adopt cloning techniques and genetic engineering in the fields of bacteria, all other microorganisms, plants, and animals, within the limits of Islamic guidelines, in a manner that achieves benefits and prevents harms."
In conclusion, there is no prohibition in benefiting from cloning techniques in plants, provided it is established that they do not cause harm to the consumer and do not disrupt the botanical system. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
