Q. Comments at the medical conference made by some of the Islamic scholars has caused questions to come up. You being amongst the panel, no disrespect intended, can you clarify on the matter of helping a woman get pregnant through (the following):

intracervical insemination (aka ICI), as well as a procedure called intrauterine insemination (aka as IUI). Also linked to what you discussed at the conference when you outlined  Artificial insemination also known as AI.  These techniques are inclusive of the sperm being placed into the female track primarily with the intent impregnating her via the process of non-sexual intercourse. The methods would vary, the outcome is one, placing sperm into a woman through non-intercourse using various syringe like situations. To explain……..

Are IUI, ICI and similar techniques forbidden? Are such and similar treatments allowed? Would this be against the spirit of Islam in anyway? (Utahstudentintheschoolofmedicine)

Answer: We must thank you for taking out the time to make your concern very clear to us. Let us help share what the Islamic ruling would be in its most general form.

Using pills, medicating oneself, undergoing preventative measures due to certain necessities would not always constitute a religious prohibition. To bind oneself beyond the natural methods of prevention is not encouraged either. Noting this, there are those that have medical issues that prevent a fluid pregnancy. If such occurrences can be corrected with help from the medical community, then sharia would allow for such correction. For as Muslims we understand, for every ailment, Allah has made a possible cure.

Before we discuss a patient seeking medical assistance, Rasuallah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has created a solution for couples seeking marriage and families. It is always best to use Quran and/or Hadith to make Hadith clear to us. References from religion make clear that as believers we must accept our position in life. Everything is a test from Allah, ‘fear, hunger, decrease of wealth and life…’ (quran) Not being able to have a child is also a type of decrease. Thus, one view is that persons not having the ability of conceiving a child is surly a test that must be accepted.

Should one feel that not having a child is due to medical concerns, then to seek proper medical help would be permissible. Such help must not cause greater physical, emotional or other health related problems. Better stated, the use of secondary means should be less damaging in its effect to the couple then their seemingly current adverse situation.

The cure should be inclusive of, but not limited to the following:

Haram (forbidden) elements are eliminated

Male doctors are not used to inseminate the woman

All natural methods have been exhausted to conceive a child

All facts pertaining to the consequence of using a given fertility method is properly evaluated

The sperm that is used is from the current marriage. Not sperm saved from a previous marriage, divorce, etc.

Our humble request is that people accept what Allah has in store for them. Use methods for gaining or limiting the seeking of children according to the sharia. Try not to fight destiny. If this is difficult, then to follow the above methods would be allowed.

Marriage is a gift and so are children. Let Allah be the best judge as to what we need, and let Him give it to us when He chooses most fit.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.