What is the ruling on a woman who inseminated herself with unknown donor sperm at a medical center, became pregnant, and gave birth to a child? Is she considered an adulteress, and what is the ruling on her child?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
What the woman did is a heinous crime. Although it is not the act of zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) that necessitates the Hadd punishment, it is equivalent to it in meaning. It is also, in the view of Islamic law, a reprehensible crime and a grave sin. This forbidden act warrants a discretionary ta'zir punishment sufficient for deterrence, and this is the view of the majority of scholars. As for the child, he is undoubtedly attributed to that woman and not to the owner of the ma’ (sperm).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/96011
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 96011
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy