Acquiring a child through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

In regard to IVF (in vitro fertilization i.e. for a husband and wife who are unable to have children to give the sperm and egg to the in vitro lab for the purpose of fertilization of an embryo which will thereafter be inserted into the womb of the woman), many of our Ulama are of the opinion that it is not permissible for the following reasons:

1) Firstly, this method of falling pregnant is an unnatural one wherein there is fear of the sperm and egg of different people getting mixed. The sperm of one man may get mixed with the egg of a woman who is not his wife. Numerous cases of this have been reported.

2) Secondly, the woman is required to expose her private parts for carrying out this medical procedure whereas it is not permissible for a woman to expose her satar – even before other women – unless she is in need of medical treatment to cure an ailment.

3) Thirdly, there is great potential of this leading to things which are against Shari’ah such as cloning, etc. Hence, when there are other alternatives available, there is no need to explore an avenue which is against the Shari’ah.

It is on account of these abovementioned reasons that many of our senior Ulama regard IVF as impermissible.

Among our senior Ulama who regard this to be impermissible are the following:

1. Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi (rahimahullah)
2. Hazrat Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Ludhyaanwi (rahimahullah)
3. Hazrat Mufti Abdur Raheem Laajpuri (rahimahullah)
4. Hazrat Mufti Ahmad Khaanpuri (daamat barakaatuhum)
5. Hazrat Mufti Salmaan Mansoorpuri (daamat barakaatuhum)
6. Hazrat Mufti Zainul Islam (daamat barakaatuhum)

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.