IVF with egg donor

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

Sister in Islaam,

At the outset, it is important to understand that it is Allaah Ta’aala who grants couples children and it is He who deprives them of children. Consider the following verse:

Translation: He grants to whomever He so wills female offspring and He grants to whomever He so wills male offspring. Or He bestows (upon some) both males and females. And He makes barren whomever He so wills. Indeed, He is All-Knowing, All-mighty. (Ash-Shooraa v.49-50)

Not being able to bear children is neither your fault nor does it make you less of a woman. You should never feel that way. It is the choice of Allaah Ta’aala that he has not given you children.

Nevertheless, if a couple is experiencing difficulty in conceiving a child through the natural way, it will be permissible to adopt the IVF method provided the sperm and egg belong to the husband and wife and no third person is involved.

In the enquired situation, it is not permissible for you to use your sister’s egg to become pregnant[1]. Turn to Allaah Ta’aala with the following du’aa:

This is the du’aa of Sayyiduna Zakariyyaa (‘Alaihis salaam) when he was faced with a similar situation. Allaah Ta’aala accepted his du’aas despite his old age and barren wife.

And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best.

Muajul I. Chowdhury

Student, Darul Iftaa

Astoria, New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.