What ISLAM Says About IVF

• By SHARIAH Scholar, Prof. ALARO

Infertility has long been a deeply emotional and challenging issue for many couples, testing their faith, resilience, and hope. In recent years, advancements in medical science, particularly In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), have provided a lifeline to those struggling to conceive. For Muslims, however, the question of how these interventions align with Islamic teachings is critical. Prof. AbdulRasaq Abdul Mojeed Alaro, a distinguished Shariah scholar, sheds light on the matter, offering valuable insights into how Islam supports IVF while maintaining its ethical boundaries. Below are his perspectives on the subject:

There are children referred to as IVF babies or test-tube babies. In Arabic, they are called Atfaalu An-Anabih, which refers to children conceived through In-Vitro Fertilization. As Prof. Alaro explains, this process is intended to address situations where neither the man’s sperm nor the woman’s egg is defective, but natural fertilization does not occur. “Many people don’t know that it’s God’s grace to be able to meet your wife and get her pregnant,” he states, highlighting the often-overlooked blessing of fertility. He further explains, “There are couples whose sperm and eggs are in good condition, yet God has not granted them the power for their gametes to meet and fertilize automatically. This is where medical intervention steps in.”

IVF allows doctors to facilitate fertilization outside the body in a controlled environment, similar to the natural process in a womb. “Medicine has now developed an incubator where the sperm and egg meet, fertilize, and grow before being implanted back into the mother,” Prof. Alaro elaborates. This scientific breakthrough is considered permissible in Islam under certain conditions.

“Islam supports IVF as long as there is no third party involved,” he asserts, referring to the strict prohibition against using donor sperm or eggs. Prof. Alaro warns against practices that Islam deems haram, such as introducing egg or sperm donors into the process. “Some women, whose eggs are no longer fertile, may seek egg donors. However, these donations often come at a cost, with young women selling their eggs for as little as 10,000 to 20,000 naira. Parents should caution their children against such practices,” he advises.

While IVF offers hope, it comes at a high financial and emotional cost. “The cheapest IVF procedure once cost about one million naira, but today, it may cost up to 10 million. Yet, even after repeated attempts, some couples still face disappointment,” Prof. Alaro notes. He reminds couples that success ultimately rests in the hands of Allah. “Some people have attempted IVF five times without success. Even if you try your best, if God says you won’t have it, it won’t happen.”

Prof. Alaro emphasizes that children born through IVF are no different from those conceived naturally. He recounts the story of Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first IVF baby born in 1978, who later conceived naturally herself, debunking skeptics’ fears about her health and fertility. Islam also draws inspiration from the Quran. Prof. Alaro cites the example of Prophet Zakariyah and his wife, whose infertility was miraculously treated by Allah. “Allah says He removed her infertility, and she gave birth for the first time. This example shows that seeking intervention in a halal way aligns with Islamic teachings,” he explains.

However, any IVF procedure involving a third party—such as using donor sperm, donor eggs, or surrogates—is strictly forbidden in Islam. “There are many unacceptable cases,” Prof. Alaro warns. “In Nigeria, a man once asked if he could donate sperm for his son-in-law. Such practices violate Islamic principles and must be avoided.”

Scientific research also corroborates the divine wisdom highlighted in Islamic texts. Prof. Alaro references a Harvard University professor’s findings, which revealed that 10% of the human population will face infertility issues regardless of medical advancements. This statistic, he points out, aligns with the Quran’s acknowledgment of infertility as a challenge some couples will face.

Drawing from his extensive research, Prof. Alaro authored the book Assisted Reproduction Technology and Islamic Perspective, published in Ankara, Turkey, in 2010/2011. He encourages those interested in the topic to seek knowledge from reliable sources. “There is nothing Islam doesn’t attend to,” he concludes, reminding Muslims that their faith provides comprehensive guidance for all aspects of life, including the delicate matter of assisted reproduction.