Needs artificial insemination but her husband cannot afford it

8-4-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu 'alaykum,
A wife has the problem of conceiving naturally because of her blocked fallopian tubes. Besides the miracle of Allah she hopes and prays for to have a pious child, the only two options she has is:
1. to undergo a method(proven with higher success rate compared to IVF) of naturally unblocking the tubes with herbal tampons and medications but to practice safe sex by using condom to avoid ectopic pregnancy during the procedure which could result to total removal of her tubes. Is this permissible?
2. to go for IVF.
But due to financial constrain, her husband can not afford it. Is it permissible for the wife to source for the money for either the herbal treatment or IVF from her relatives if they are capable and willing to assist financially?
Jazakallah Khairan.

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

If it is predominantly thought that it is possible to unblock the fallopian tubes by using this medicine and herbs and that this does not cause any harm, then, it is permissible to unlock it with the abovementioned method. Moreover, getting pregnant and giving birth in a natural way is better than doing so by resorting to the IVF (in vitro fertilization) as this method is surrounded by some disadvantages.

However, if this wife needs to give birth by the IVF, then this is permissible provided the conditions mentioned by the scholars  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them in this regard are met; for more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 84882.

As regards her asking her relatives for help for the purpose of permissible treatment, then this is permissible especially if she knows that they are ready to help her willingly. However, if she is not in need, then it is better for her to abstain from asking them for help and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient Allaah will make him self-sufficient.

Allaah Knows best.

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