In the Name of Allāh,

the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Resolution No. 16 (4/3)

Test-Tube Babies (In Vitro Fertilization)

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, holding its 3rd session in Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on 8–13 Ṣafar 1407h (11–16 October 1986),

Having examined the research papers submitted to the Academy concerning

Test-Tube Babies (In Vitro Fertilization),

Having listened to and discussed the explanations of experts and medical doctors,

It became evident that seven known methods are currently used for arti- ficial insemination.

Resolves

1. The first five (5) methods are all and absolutely prohibited for their own sake or due to ensuing consequences manifested in the confusion of parenthoods (ikhtilāṭ al-ansāb), loss of motherhood, as well as other matters prohibited by These methods include:

   1. Fertilization taking place in-vitro between the semen taken from the husband and the ovum taken from a woman who is not his wife, and the fertilized ovum being then planted in his wife’s
   2. Fertilization taking place in-vitro between the semen taken from a man who is not the husband and the ovum taken from the wife, and the fertilized ovum being then planted in the wife’s
   3. Fertilization taking place in-vitro between the semen and the ovum taken from the respective spouses. The fertilized ovum is then planted in the womb of a volunteer woman.
   4. Fertilization taking place in vitro between the semen and the ovum taken from two strangers. The fertilized ovum is then planted in the wife’s womb.

5. Fertilization taking place in vitro between the semen and the ovum taken from the respective spouses. The fertilized ovum is then planted in the womb of the husband’s other

1. However, there is no Shariah restriction on the following sixth or seventh methods, in case of necessity, provided that all the necessary precautions are These two methods are:
2. In-vitro fertilization of a wife’s ovum by her husband’s semen and the implantation of the fertilized ovum in the womb of this same
3. External insemination, by taking the semen of a husband and injecting it into the appropriate place in the womb or uterus of his wife for internal fertilization.

Indeed, Allāh is All-Knowing.