Is IVF Permissible in Islam?

Some of our patients ask whether IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment is religiously permissible. The view of Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) on this matter is as follows:

When pregnancy cannot occur through natural intercourse because of a problem in either the woman or the man, according to the decision of the High Board of Religious Affairs dated 20.05.1992:
a) Both the egg and the sperm to be fertilized must belong to the married spouses, that is, neither of them may come from a third party;
b) The fertilized egg must develop in the uterus of the wife to whom the egg belongs, not in the uterus of another woman;
c) Provided that it is medically established that the procedure will have no negative effect on the physical, mental and psychological health of either the parents or the child to be born, there is no objection to resorting to IVF.

Another question that may come to mind is this:

Should we undergo IVF treatment, or should we accept our fate and be patient?

IVF is a method of treatment. There is no question of having to forgo treatment and simply accept one's fate. Seeking treatment is itself part of destiny.

If Allah has given an affliction, He has surely given its cure as well. Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said the following: Some Bedouins (came to our Prophet and) asked, "O Messenger of Allah! If we fall ill, should we seek treatment?" The Messenger of Allah replied: "Yes, seek treatment. O servants of Allah, seek treatment, for Allah has not created any disease without also creating its cure or its remedy."