Surrogacy in Islam raises some of the most important questions Muslim intended parents will face on their path to parenthood. Understanding what is halal or haram in this process can bring clarity, confidence and peace of mind.
When you align your surrogacy journey with your faith, you can move forward with a plan that honors both your values and your dreams of building a family.
Have questions about starting your surrogacy journey in alignment with your faith? Reach out to American Surrogacy for a confidential consultation with experienced surrogacy specialists who will work to provide you with a personalized experienced.
In this guide, you’ll explore what major Islamic schools of thought say about surrogacy, how IVF and donor options are viewed through a religious lens and how American Surrogacy supports culturally respectful, faith-aligned services for Muslim families.
Is Surrogacy Haram in Islam?
Surrogacy in Islam is a deeply debated topic with perspectives shaped by jurisprudential schools, ethical principles and cultural norms. The primary concern revolves around the preservation of nasab (lineage) and the sanctity of marriage.
Most Sunni scholars consider surrogacy in Islam haram, especially when third-party involvement is present. This includes using a surrogate mother who is not the wife or involving donor sperm or eggs, which many equate with zina (adultery).
However, certain Shia authorities, particularly within Iranian religious leadership, permit gestational surrogacy under strict conditions—primarily that the gametes come from a married couple.
Thus, while surrogacy is often viewed as impermissible in Sunni Islam, it may be deemed halal in Shia jurisprudence when it preserves biological lineage and marital integrity.
Prospective Muslim parents are encouraged to consult trusted scholars and consider fatwas issued by authoritative bodies before proceeding.
Sunni and Shia Perspectives on Surrogacy
Views on surrogacy in Islam vary significantly between Sunni and Shia jurisprudence.
Surrogacy in Islam Sunni
In Sunni Islam, the prevailing opinion is that surrogacy is haram due to the introduction of a third party into the reproductive process. The child’s lineage becomes ambiguous, especially if a surrogate mother or donor gametes are involved, which conflicts with principles of Islamic parenthood.
Surrogacy in Islam Shia
Conversely, Shia scholars, especially in Iran, have issued fatwas that allow for gestational surrogacy, provided that both the egg and sperm come from a legally married couple.
In these cases, the surrogate acts merely as a gestational carrier, and no lineage confusion arises.
Shia fiqh tends to prioritize intention (niyyah) and biological connection over the method of gestation, creating space for surrogacy within strict ethical boundaries.
Understanding these divergent views is crucial for Muslim intended parents navigating this complex issue.
Why Is Surrogacy Haram According to Some Scholars?
Many Islamic scholars assert that surrogacy in Islam is haram due to concerns over nasab (lineage), ethical ambiguity and marital exclusivity.
In cases involving a third-party surrogate or donor sperm or eggs, scholars argue that the child’s parentage becomes unclear. This lineage disruption is viewed as a major legal and moral issue in Islam.
Additionally, surrogacy in Islam may introduce legal complexities regarding the maternal identity—who is considered the “mother” in Islamic law: the genetic or gestational mother?
These concerns, along with worries about commodification of the womb and potential exploitation, lead many Sunni jurists to categorically oppose surrogacy.
The fear of resembling zina through third-party gamete use is another driving factor in labeling surrogacy haram.
IVF in Islam: What’s Allowed and What’s Not?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is generally considered halal in Islam if it involves only the husband and wife’s gametes and the embryo is transferred into the wife’s uterus. This aligns with Islamic principles of marital fidelity and lineage preservation.
However, IVF becomes haram if donor sperm, donor eggs or surrogates are involved, according to most Sunni scholars. In Shia Islam, IVF is permitted even with a gestational surrogate under specific legal conditions.
Controversies also surround embryo storage and embryo adoption in Islam, with scholars divided on whether long-term storage or using another couple’s embryos constitutes a breach of Islamic ethics.
Clear scholarly guidance should be sought before proceeding with any ART technique.
Using a Donor Sperm and a Donor Egg in Islam
Islamic rulings on donor eggs and donor sperm are generally strict.
In Sunni Islam, the use of third-party genetic material is unanimously considered haram because it introduces foreign biological lineage into the family unit. The child is not the biological offspring of both parents, which is seen as a breach of marital fidelity.
In the broader context of surrogacy in Islam, Shia interpretations may allow more flexibility. Some Shia scholars permit the use of donor gametes under special circumstances, though this is still a contentious area.
Even in these cases, rigorous legal and ethical conditions must be met to preserve family integrity.
Ultimately, most Islamic scholars advise against donor involvement and encourage IVF or ART procedures to be confined strictly to the husband and wife.
Choosing a Surrogacy Path That Aligns With Your Faith
For Muslim intended parents, the decision to pursue surrogacy in Islam should be informed by both medical feasibility and religious compatibility.
Many turn to their imams or Islamic jurists for fatwas on specific scenarios. American Surrogacy encourages families to pursue faith-aligned pathways that honor both religious values and personal dreams of parenthood.
Whether you are exploring IVF or surrogacy, it’s essential to ensure that the process involves only the husband and wife’s genetic material and to avoid third-party involvement unless your sect allows otherwise.
We can help guide you through surrogacy options that respect your Islamic beliefs while providing transparent, ethical support.
Can a Muslim Woman Be a Surrogate Mother?
The permissibility of a Muslim woman serving as a surrogate mother depends on her intention, the nature of the surrogacy, and her interpretation of Islamic law.
Sunni scholars generally discourage Muslim women from becoming surrogates due to the moral and legal complications of carrying another couple’s child.
In contrast, Shia Islam may allow a Muslim woman to act as a gestational surrogate provided that the embryo is from a legally married couple. Even then, ethical oversight and religious consultation are critical. The surrogate must fully understand the legal and emotional implications.
Agencies like American Surrogacy help ensure that Muslim surrogates participate only in ethically sound, legally clear arrangements that align with their beliefs.
Global Fatwas and Legal Views on Surrogacy in Islam
Islamic rulings on surrogacy in Islam vary widely across countries. In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Sunni scholars largely prohibit surrogacy, citing concerns over lineage and third-party involvement. Fatwas from Al-Azhar University and the Saudi Grand Mufti affirm that surrogacy is haram.
In contrast, Iran, a predominantly Shia country, has legalized surrogacy in Islam under specific conditions, allowing it within marital frameworks with biological parents.
Pakistan presents a mixed landscape, where scholars and courts debate permissibility based on context.
Understanding these international fatwas and laws helps Muslim parents make informed, faith-aligned decisions—especially when considering cross-border reproductive care involving surrogacy in Islam.
Navigating Islamic Ethics With Your Surrogacy Agency
Choosing a surrogacy agency that understands and respects Islamic ethics is essential. American Surrogacy is committed to working with Muslim families in a culturally sensitive and religiously aware manner. We offer personalized matching to ensure alignment with your values.
Faith should never be compromised on your path to parenthood. Let us walk this journey with you.
Ready to explore your options with a surrogacy agency that respects your values? Contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist who understands your faith, your goals and your journey forward.