Lineage and Status of Children from the Perspective of the Qur'an: An Exegetical Study of Adoption and Test Tube Babies

Abstract

This study affirms that nasab (lineage) constitutes the foundational pillar of Islamic family law, with the Qur'an explicitly prohibiting adoption (tabannī) that alters biological genealogy while permitting child fostering (kafalah) as a humane alternative. The analysis demonstrates that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is conditionally permissible exclusively within valid marriage using spouses' own gametes, whereas surrogacy and third-party gamete donation remain categorically prohibited due to nasab integrity violations. Furthermore, radha'ah (foster nursing) serves as the sole Sharīʿah mechanism for establishing limited maḥram relationships without modifying biological lineage, contingent upon strict procedural requirements. The Maqāṣid al-Syarīʿah framework effectively reconciles divine lineage preservation (ḥifẓ al-nasl) with contemporary bioethical challenges through collective scholarly deliberation (ijtihād jamāʿī), ensuring technological advancements serve rather than subvert essential Sharīʿah objectives. Ultimately, Islamic law maintains an equilibrium between compassion for vulnerable children and the inviolable sanctity of biological descent, offering a coherent paradigm for addressing modern reproductive dilemmas without compromising foundational ethical principles.