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Problems with future pregnancies

Question

Dear brother in Islam, Assalam-alikum,
I am a revert to Islam 7yrs back, I have to take some important decision in life.During my second pregnancy I had severe varicosity problems, I was insisted by my Gynaecologist that time to undergo Tubal ligation (Modified palmer’s method). she said next pregnancy will cause more varicosity and risk for life. My spouse & his family agreed for this. Now after 4years my husband is strongly desiring to have more children. I came to know that there is tubal recanalisation to conceive again. But the surgeon told me that there is also possibility of Ectopic tubal pregnancy and chances of pregnancies they have estimated the success rate around 30% only. (I failed to convince my husband to go for second marriage as he says he wants more children from me only).
1) Is it allowed in Islam to undergo this type of surgery and taking the risk? I am 30yrs have 2 children of age 6yr old daughter & 4yrs son.
2) I have heard about in vitro fertilization (test tube baby) where husband & wife’s seeds are taken and fertilised. Is this a better option than tubal recanalisation?

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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

If trustworthy medical doctors decide that the surgery, tubal recanalisation is a risk and it has a low success rate, then you are not allowed to undergo such an operation to avoid the harm. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "There should be no harm afflicted on others, nor reciprocal harming (direct or indirect)." [Ahmad]

So, we advise you to convince your husband wisely and kindly not to force you undergo this operation, and you may seek the help of some influential people who may change his mind.

As for in vitro fertilization, it is allowed if carried out through the two ways as passed in a resolution of Islamic Fiqh Academy. For details, read our Fatwa 82554.

Allaah Knows best.

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