by Sohail Ashraf

Created on: July 13, 2009

Islam takes infertility as it should be: a disease that needs to be cured. Infertility treatments are also taken as they should be; they are OK as long as biological father and mother are under valid marriage contract and womb of the wife is used. In simple words, that is all to it.

Islam considers a family the fundamental unit of a society, which must be protected for its integrity for wider benefit of the society. Therefore, Islam has defined in very clear terms, the laws of marriage and inheritance. In these laws family and blood relations have been assigned very significant legal implications. Islam binds every Muslim in the web of rights and duties; rights that he is liable to by his family, neighbors and society as well as his duties towards others. Even an unborn embryo has legal right towards inheritance of his father, if the father dies before his birth. Rights and duties amongst parents and children are specially given importance in the teachings of Islam. "And those related by arham (kindred by wombs) have prior rights against each other in the book of God."

Allah says in Quran: "Then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage....". Such a practice, where donor is not legally admissible spouse of the host, technically amounts to adultery and is thus forbidden.

What about the rights of the newborn and his inheritance, his duties towards the biological father or mother, one or the both of whom he may never know. Same goes from the other end. Moreover, such unclear relationships may one day result in forbidden marriages ie brother and sister, even mother and son, or father and daughter (if sperms or eggs are frozen and later donated to unknown). Therefore; donor eggs, sperms, or even womb is considered Haram (prohibited in Islam).

Apart of infringement of rights and privileges set forth by Allah Almighty another aspect in sale and purchase of embryo, eggs or sperms is that a human being becomes a commodity in life. Anyone married, unmarried, straight, gay or lesbian would simply buy his kid through these methods. How does that sound?

In summation inference can be drawn that Islam allows all modern methods of infertility treatments provided these treatments are carried out under some rules already set forth by Sharia. There is wisdom and a convincing argument behind every command of Islam. The only requirement is to consider the effects and aftereffects of the options available, not only on individuals but the society as a whole.

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