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30 Fordham Urb. L.J. 147 (2002-2003)
The Islamic Viewpoint on New Assisted Reproductive Technologies

handle is hein.journals/frdurb30 and id is 189 raw text is: THE ISLAMIC VIEWPOINT ON NEW ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES Hossam E. Fadel* INTRODUCTION The desire to have one's own offspring is a very strong human instinct. The Quran, the holy book of Muslims, documents this fact: Wealth and progeny are the allurements of this world.' A common supplication of Muslims is, And those who pray, Our Lord, grant unto us spouses and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes.'2 On the other hand, Muslims believe that God or- dained that some couples would be infertile. He creates what He wills. He bestows male or female children to whom He wills. He bestows both male and female children (to some) and He leaves barren whom He wills.3 Islam also acknowledges that infertility is a significant hardship.4 The Quran gives the example of two prophets, Abraham and Za- charyyia, peace be upon them, who were barren and described how they longed to have children of their own, even as they grew old and almost despaired of having children. Then did Zacharyyia pray to his Lord, saying, '0 my Lord! Grant unto me from You a progeny that is pure, for You are He that hears the Prayers.'5 The method they used to achieve their goal was to ask God repeatedly and sincerely with humility and faith. Eventually God answered their prayers. And the angels gave Abraham glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge!6 This does not mean that Islam asks the infertile couple only to pray to overcome this problem. A basic Islamic principle permits persons facing hardship to use all lawful means to solve their prob- lem, while at the same time preserving their trust in God that He will help them achieve their goal. This is especially true in matters * M.D., FACOG; Director of Perinatology, University Hospital; Clinical Profes- sor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. 1. HOLY QURAN 14:46 (Abdullah Yusuf Ali trans., 1982). 2. Id. at 25:74. 3. Id. at 42:49-50. 4. See Hossam E. Fadel, Assisted Reproductive Technologies: An Islamic Perspec- tive, 25 J. ISLAMIC MED. Ass'N 14, 17 (1993). 5. HOLY QURAN, supra note 1, at 3:38. 6. Id. at 51:28.

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