Reconciling Surrogacy with Islamic Ethics: Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa, Ijtihad, and Contemporary Legal Debates
Abstract
This study examines the diverse interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence on surrogacy, focusing on the contrasting approaches between Sunni and Shia scholars. While Sunni scholars predominantly prohibit surrogacy, citing concerns over lineage integrity, marital sanctity, and ethical risks, Shia jurisprudence, particularly in Iran, allows surrogacy under strict regulatory conditions. The study employs a qualitative legal methodology, incorporating Islamic legal texts, fatwas, national legislation, and comparative legal analysis to evaluate how different Islamic traditions approach surrogacy regulation. The findings reveal that Islamic legal thought on surrogacy remains deeply divided. Sunni-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Pakistan uphold stringent bans on surrogacy, emphasizing the need to maintain clear parental lineage. Conversely, Iran’s legal framework permits surrogacy, integrating maqāṣid al-sharīʿa (higher objectives of Islamic law) to justify its permissibility under ethical guidelines. The study also explores bioethical concerns surrounding the commodification of childbirth and the exploitation of surrogate mothers, emphasizing the necessity of ethical oversight in surrogacy arrangements. The research underscores the importance of developing harmonized legal frameworks that balance Islamic ethical principles with contemporary reproductive needs. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration between Islamic scholars, legal practitioners, and medical experts is crucial for ensuring that surrogacy regulations in Muslim-majority countries are both ethically sound and legally coherent. Future studies should investigate cross-cultural experiences of Muslim couples engaging in surrogacy, regulatory best practices, and the impact of surrogacy laws on family dynamics in Islamic contexts.
Downloads
References
Alvi, Ayesha. “Retracing Islamic Prohibition on Genetic Gestational Surrogacy (Uterine Service) for Married Couples.” Australian Journal of Islamic Studies 8, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.55831/ajis.v8i1.553.
Aslati, Armi Agustar, Silawati, Arisman Arisman, and Siti N Arafah. “Utilizing Science and Maqāṣid Al-Sharī’ah in Resolving Contemporary Issues of Islamic Family Law.” Al-Manahij Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 2024, 17–36. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v18i1.10571.
Bloom, Tendayi, and Lindsey Kingston. “Introduction: Opening a Conversation about Statelessness, Governance and the Problem of Citizenship.” In Statelessness, Governance and the Problem of Citizenship , 2021.
Bokek-Cohen, Ya’arit, Limor Dina Gonen, and Mahdi Tarabeih. “The Ethical Standards of Sunni Muslim Physicians Regarding Fertility Technologies That Are Religiously Forbidden.” Journal of Religion and Health 61, no. 4 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01583-9.
Bokek-Cohen, Ya’arit, and Mahdi Tarabeih. “What Do Sunni Muslims Think about Religiously Forbidden Reproductive Options?” Human Fertility 25, no. 4 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2021.1921289.
Dr. Mohammad Numan Hassan. “Surrogacy: Between Islam and European Secularism A Comparative Study.” AL-HIDAYAH 5, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.52700/alhidayah.v5i2.72.
Farid, Md Shaikh. “Ethical Issues in Sperm, Egg and Embryo Donation: Islamic Shia Perspectives.” HEC Forum 36, no. 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-022-09498-4.
Farid, Md Shaikh, and Sumaia Tasnim. “Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Comparing Abrahamic Monotheistic Religions.” Asian Bioethics Review 15, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-022-00224-3.
Gamal Eldin Attia. Towards Realization of the Higher Intents of Islamic Law: Maqashid al-Syariah – A Functional Approach. London: International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2007.
Ghodrati, Fatemeh. “A Comparative Study of Surrogacy Rights in Iran and European Countries, a Review Article.” Ethics Medicine and Public Health 27 (2023): 100880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2023.100880.
Katiman, Diana, Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Hirman Ismail, and Kamal Abu Shamsieh. “Exploring End-of-Life Issues and Determination of the Surrogacy Ladder in Malaysia.” Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal 7, no. 22 (2022). https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i22.4150.
Maqsood, Memona, Dr. Farhana Mehmood, and Dr. Hafsa Abbasi. “Shariah Perspective on Surrogacy: Legislation in Pakistan Regarding Protection of Woman’s Right.” Acta-Islamica 10, no. 02 (2022).
Matthews, Zachariah. “A Review of the Rulings by Muslim Jurists on Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Tissue Transplantation.” Religions, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12090720.
Mujahidah, Nurul, Sabri Samin, Syatirah Djalaluddin, and M. Nur Hidayatullah. “THE LEGALITY OF SURROGATE MOTHERS FROM THE ISLAMIC LAW PERSPECTIVE.” Al-Risalah Jurnal Ilmu Syariah Dan Hukum, 2022. https://doi.org/10.24252/al-risalah.vi.27944.
Nazari Tavakkoli, Saeid. “The Status of ‘Mother’ in Gestational Surrogacy: The Shiʿi Jurisprudential Perspective.” Asian Bioethics Review 14, no. 4 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-022-00217-2.
Rahmani, A, N Sattarzadeh, L Gholizadeh, A Allahbakhshian, and & Hassankhani. “Gestational Surrogacy: Viewpoint of Iranian Infertile Women,” n.d.
Raza, Mohsin, Fouzia Batool, Sada Hussain Alvi, Farhad Ahmad Bhatti, Ghulam Safoora, and Ghous Uddin Khan. “Legal Status Of Surrogacy In Islam (A Critical Analysis In View Of Jurisprudence Ruling).” Webology. Vol. 19, 2022. http://www.webology.orghttp://www.webology.org.
Riaz, Muhammad Nouman, Zunaira Farooq, Muhammad Umar Butt, Urba Rafi, and Wang Jing. “Why Is Commercial Surrogacy Banned Worldwide? A Complete Review.” International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 11, no. 10 (2023). https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.56045.
Serour, Gamal, Mohammed Ghaly, Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen, Ayaz Anwar, Noor Munirah Isa, and Alexis Heng Boon Chin. “Sunni Islamic Perspectives on Lab-Grown Sperm and Eggs Derived from Stem Cells–in Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG).” New Bioethics 29, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1080/20502877.2022.2142094.
Shafi, Saima. “Islamic Insights on Assisted Reproductive Technology: Navigating Sunni and Shi’a Perspectives.” RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary 9, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n01.002.
Shiraishi, Eriko, Seido Takae, Ahmad Mohd Faizal, Kohei Sugimoto, Aikou Okamoto, and Nao Suzuki. “The Scenario of Adoption and Foster Care in Relation to the Reproductive Medicine Practice in Asia.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 7 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073466.
Sudirman, Muh., Mustaring, Manan Sailan, and Ahmad Fauzi Sudirman. “Children Resulting from Insemination Through the Surrogate Mother Process (Substitute Mother) and Their Instruction Rights Islamic Law Perspective.” SHS Web of Conferences 149 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202214902008.
Sujadmiko, Bayu, Novindri Aji, Leni W. Mulyani, Syawalluddin Al Rasyid, and Intan F. Meutia. “Surrogacy in Indonesia: The Comparative Legality and Islamic Perspective.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 79, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V79I1.8108.
Susila, Muh Endriyo, and Kirthie Rubini Morgan. “COMPARATIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS OF SURROGACY BETWEEN INDONESIA AND INDIA.” Jurnal Bina Mulia Hukum 7, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.23920/jbmh.v7i1.1016.
Suvorov, Valeriy, and Elmira Fakhrudinova. “Surrogacy in Muslim Communities of the Middle East and Russia: Trends and Perspectives.” Gosudarstvo, Religiia, Tserkov’ v Rossii i Za Rubezhom/State, Religion and Church in Russia and Worldwide 40, no. 4 (2022). https://doi.org/10.22394/2073-7203-2022-40-4-242-254
