Journal - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Islamic Medical Ethics in Assisted Conception*
Farouk MAHMOUD*
* FRCOG, FRANZCOG, FRCS (E), Consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist, University Hospital,
Coventry & Warwck., U.K.
e-mail: drfaroukmahmoud@hotmail.com
Introduction
Islam, the empire of religion, spread its faith
across the globe and bequeathed to the world, a rich
intellectual heritage, fashioned, sculpted and imbued
with an Islamic mould, from the origins of Greek,
Persian and Indian heritage.
Islamic medicine being eclectic, chooses the best
of available medical technology, compatible with the
spirit of the Sharia and the Islamic community.
Medical ethics in Islam may be defined as the practice
of medicine keeping within the ethos of Islam,
satisfying both, the criteria of autonomy, beneficence,
non-maleficence and justice and the principles
and precepts of Islam.
Assisted methods of conception do provide solace
and hope for the barren couples but they also pose
special problems from a religious perspective. Islam
transcends ethnic, religious and cultural barriers and
all Muslims by their definition, submit to Allah’s will
and therefore to the Qur’an and the Sunna of the
Prophet. Their actions are governed by the Sharia and
this applies equally to methods of assisted conception
they would choose. The Qur’an is immutable and so
are the authentic religious Sunna but Islamic jurists
(Mujtahidun) are empowered to resort to Ijma (consensus),
Qiyas (analogical reasoning), Istihsan (juris-
Summary
A brief history of Islam and Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) is outlined with an overview of the evolution of Islamic medicine.
Islamic medical care is conceptualized within the framework of Islamic medicine and Islamic medical ethics; medicines, techniques
and technologies of assisted conception are scrutinised for compatibility with the guidelines of the Sharia. This article is mainly centred
on assisted conception, and the areas where these methods pose problems and conflict with Islamic thought and the Sharia, are
discussed with an emphasis on how Muslims could derive benefit from modern technologies and yet not contravene the principles of
Islam. The article concludes with glimpses into the future and examines the Islamic viewpoint on technologies, mainly reproductive
techniques, in the horizon but yet to enter the realm of medical practice such as therapeutic cloning, gene therapy and stem cell technologies.
Key Words; Islamic Medical Care, Islamic Medicine, Islamic Medical Ethics, Reproductive Medicine, Assisted Conception.
tic preference), Istislah (public or community benefit)
and Urf (custom), where the Qur’an and Hadith
do not provide a solution. At present, controversial
issues related to reproductive medicine are referred to
Islamic jurists, Fuqaha and Muftis for a fatwa and
more recently these issues are addressed by Fiqh
academies composed of Islamic scholars, doctors,
lawyers, scientists and other persons with expertise in
different fields.
To appreciate Islamic medical ethics in reproductive
medicine, one has to be cognisant with the background
of Islam and the evolution of Islamic jurisprudence
and these have been described, albeit briefly,
followed by the methods of assisted of conception
with an integrated synthesis with Islamic values.
Islam - A Historic Background
Islam, the youngest of the religions of the
Abrahamic faiths, was promulgated by Prophet
Muhammad (saws) in 610 C.E., who preached the
new religion in the Arabian peninsula. The subsequent
blossoming and expansion of Islam has been
hailed as unprecedented and unparalled. In the wake
of these new conquests, came power, wealth and
affluence and while the rulers basked in the extravagance
and splendour of the new empire and promoted
aesthetically beautiful architecture, there emerged
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