Surrogacy in Islam Sunni
Surrogacy in Islam Sunni
Advances in reproductive medicine have provided new, and much needed, hope for millions of people struggling with infertility. Gestational surrogacy is one such development that has been gaining popularity with infertile couples, especially those unable to benefit from other reproductive procedures such as In Vitro Fertilization. For many Muslim couples, however, surrogacy remains a nonviable option. Islamic scholars have deemed the procedure incompatible with Islam and have prohibited its use. The arguments presented for proscribing surrogacy arrangements in Sunni Islam includes preservation of lineage, exclusion of third parties in reproduction, upholding the rights of the child, and protection from the negative effects of surrogacy arrangements. The rationales for banning surrogacy are subsequently refuted utilizing Islamic law "Sharia", bioethics, and medical evidence.
Read more about : Is IVF Allowed in Islam?
Read more about : Egg donation in Iran
Is Surrogacy Allowed in Sunni Islam?
In ancient Arabia, before Islam, the society practiced a tradition called in history as Zawaj al-Istabda. In this practice, some physically weak husbands would send their wives to someone physically strong to live with them until they became pregnant. After that, the woman would return to her legal husband's house to complete the gestation period and deliver the baby, considering the married couple's child. In the US and the U.K., Surrogacy has become an increasingly popular means of building a family in recent years. It has also indulged in other societies' infertile couples.
The debate about Surrogacy has been re-opened nowadays in the circle of Sunni scholars. Some religious groups have argued about its acceptance, and others have viewed that Surrogacy is associated with numerous legal, social, and cultural problems; therefore, it should not be accepted. The aforementioned second type of Surrogacy is undoubtedly being practiced by Shia Muslims, whereas the Sunni Muslims do not allow this. Iran and Lebanon have allowed Surrogacy in the light of the verdict issued by Ayatullāh Khāmenei in 1999. Some prominent religious Shia scholars of Iran and Lebanon have allowed their communities to utilize the latest technological developments, like "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)" as a solution to infertility. Many Shia scholars are against the permissibility of third-party donation, whereas leading Shia authorities have allowed the third-party donation under specific conditions. However, many Shia scholars in Iran are against the practice of Surrogacy to remove infertility.
Contrary to the above, Sunni Islam is concerned with a literal understanding of the Sacred Texts, which have guided the Sunni Muslims to avoid gamete donation. Therefore, seeking donor gametes have been considered by Sunni jurists as adultery because, according to their viewpoint, it brings changes in the purity of lineage of a child. However, few Sunni religious scholars have permitted Surrogacy between co-wives. In the case of bigamy (when a man has two wives) an ovum would be taken from one wife, and after its fertilization with the husband's semen, it would be kept in the womb of another wife who would carry it till birth. This matter remained for long under discussion among Islamic jurists who issued a decree (fatwa) over the issue. Later, this controversial verdict (fatwa) was presented in the Egyptian parliament (majlis al-shaʿb) for further discussion. After observing numerous cases, the Council nullified the practice of the surrogacy system even between the co-wives due to fear of a high rate of mixing or impurity of lineage. Most Islamic countries have viewed third-party donations against the integrity of the marriage contract and the purity of lineage required by Islam.
About Iranian Surgery
Iranian surgery is an online medical tourism platform where you can find the best doctors and fertility specialists in Iran. The price of Surrogacy in Iran can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined by an in-person assessment with the doctor.
For more information about the cost of Surrogacy in Iran and to schedule an appointment in advance, you can contact Iranian Surgery consultants via WhatsApp number 0098 901 929 0946. This service is completely free.
Source:
Mehfooz, M., Imran, A., & Azhar, S. (2022). An overview of the underlying legal and psychological issues of surrogacy in Islam. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, 10(3), 23-28. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2022.1033
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27762091/