Artificial Insemination in View of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence: Its Proponents and Opponents

A natural feature of a human being is to wish to have descendants to continue his/her generation. As such this is considered as a kind of personal perfection.Today, scientific progress and development make the formation of human and animal embryos possible by ways other than the one known traditionally, i.e. intercourse. Artificial insemination comprises insemination outside the womb, which refers to the production of human beings outwardly, without intercourse, either in accordance or in conflict with religious moral laws. On the other hand, it comprises insemination within the human womb by way of plantation or insemination. Both are current issues that have been brought about by necessity ensued by the development and scientific upheaval of the present era.With respect to this development, the present paper probes into the different forms of fertilization and their status in view of Islamic jurisprudence. It examines and discusses the legitimacy of having a child by way of the interference of a third person as a donor of sperm, an ovum, or a womb, by drawing on the Quranic verses, prophetic Traditions, as well as jurisprudential principles and rules. Finally, it draws a conclusion from the viewpoint of an individual, and his/her personal condition of things, considering also the issue in view of the social and governing system.