Fatwa ID: 09049
Answered by Alimah Easha Amin
Question:
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I hope you are well. I am writing to seek Islamic guidance regarding my situation before marriage.
I have previously had my ovaries removed; however I still have my womb. I am due to get married soon, and my fiancé and I would like to understand what options Islamically permissible for us in terms are of having children.
He would ideally like to have his own biological children, and I also wish to explore any options that may be allowed within Islam. I have been referred to a fertility clinic and I am currently waiting for my first appointment.
I would be grateful if you could please advise on the following:
- Are there any permissible fertility treatments in my situation from a Sunni (Hanafi) perspective?
- What is the ruling on using donor eggs or any alternative medical options?
- What are the Islamic guidelines regarding adoption in this context?
- How should we approach this matter within marriage if biological children are not possible?
I would sincerely appreciate your guidance so that we can make informed decisions in accordance with Islam.
Jazakum Allahu khairan for your time and assistance.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Insemination using a donor egg/sperm is not permissible as the child’s lineage is not clear. For this reason, using sperm/egg donors to treat infertility is not permissible. [1]
Adoption of a child has no legal effect in Shariah. One can adopt a child for his emotional and psychological satisfaction. He can treat him as his own son in the matters of love, affection and general behaviour. Adoption of a child to provide shelter to him is a virtuous deed which carries much reward in the Hereafter. But so far as the legal aspects are concerned, adoption has no consequence. The child should not be attributed except to the natural father, and not to the one who has adopted him. Even in the matter of hijab adoption has no effect whatsoever. If a male child is adopted by a woman, she will observe hijab from him after he reaches the age of puberty, unless she is related to him in a prohibited degree. An adopted child can marry a daughter of his adoptive parents, because she is not his real sister. In short, adoption does not create a new legal relationship which did not exist before.
All these rules are inferred from the principle laid down by the Holy Qur’an in this respect. The people in jahiliyyah used to treat an adopted child as the real one in all respects. The Holy Qur’an condemned this practice and the following verses were revealed:
مَّا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِرَجُلٍۢ مِّن قَلْبَيْنِ فِى جَوْفِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَزْوَٰجَكُمُ ٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى تُظَـٰهِرُونَ مِنْهُنَّ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَدْعِيَآءَكُمْ أَبْنَآءَكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ قَوْلُكُم بِأَفْوَٰهِكُمْ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَقُولُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهْدِى ٱلسَّبِيلَ ٤
“And Allah did not make your adopted children your sons. That is only your words coming out from your tongues. And Allah says the truth and He guides you to the right path. Call them with reference to their (real) fathers. It is more just in the sight of Allah.”
(Surah Ahzab Ayah 4)
However, it should be remembered that although an adopted child cannot inherit from his adoptive father, but it is permissible, rather advisable, for him that he, in his lifetime, makes a will in favour of his adopted son. Through such a will he can bequeath up to one third of his property to his adopted child who cannot otherwise share his inheritance. [2]
Allah ﷻ ordains children to whom he wills and verily His plan for you is the best of plans. Allah ﷻ says in the Quran:
لِّلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَـٰثًۭا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ ٤٩
أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًۭا وَإِنَـٰثًۭا ۖ وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۭ قَدِيرٌۭ ٥٠
To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons, or grants both, sons and daughters, ˹to whoever He wills˺, and leaves whoever He wills infertile. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable.
(Surah As-Shura Ayah 49-50) [3] [4]
Continue to pray to Allah and remain patient just as Zakaria [AS] did:
وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًۭا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ ٨٩
And ˹remember˺ when Zachariah cried out to his Lord, “My Lord! Do not leave me childless, though You are the Best of Successors.”
(Surah Anbiya Ayah 89) [5] [6]
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Alimah Easha Amin
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
Fatawa-e-Usmani, Maktaba-Ma’ariful-Quran, Vol 4, pg 288, 2016, Accessed via Internet Archive 02/05/2026
(۱) …بیٹے کے بن جانے والے میں جس مرد کا لفظ متبنّی ہو اُس کی اولاد کیا جائے یہ غلط چیز ہے،
اس کے متنبّی کے طور پر وہی احکام ہیں جن کی تفصیل (۲) میں ہے۔
(۲) جس عورت کے نکاح میں مرد کے لفظ کے ساتھ لفظ اختلاط ہو جائے، وہاں تو اس کی زوجیت ہو ہی جاتی ہے، لیکن اگر اختلاط غیر شرعی کی وجہ سے ہو گیا ہو اور اگر قرآن و حدیث میں سے کوئی ایسی نص نہ ہو تو لفظ والے صورتِ نسب ثابت نہیں ہوتا لہٰذا نسبت محبوب باپ کی مختلف صورتوں میں احکام بدلتے ہیں۔
[2]
Comtemporary Fatawa, Mufti Taqi Usmani, Offset Plate & Printing Services, pg 83-84
[3]
Surah As-Shura Ayah 49-50
[4]
Mariful Quran, Maktaba-e-Darul-Uloom, Vol 7, pg 702, Accessed Via Internet Archive 03/05/2026
[5]
Surah Anbiya Ayah 89
[6]
Mariful Quran, Maktaba-e-Darul-Uloom, Vol 6, pg 229, Accessed Via Internet Archive 03/05/2026