Is Medical Treatment for the Birth of Girls Permissible? A Complete Shari‘ah Explanation
Source: Ahkam wa Masail, Issues Regarding Amulets and Ruqyah, Volume 1, Page 464
Respected scholars are asked: A doctor says that if a woman continuously gives birth to girls and no son is born, then this is a type of illness known as “Uthra”. The doctor treats this condition and while prescribing the medicine, he makes it clear:
✿ Sons and daughters are solely in Allah’s control.
✿ I do not claim even one percent that medicine will definitely result in a son.
✿ If Allah wills, He may grant a son.
✿ I only provide treatment, healing and granting of a son are in Allah’s hands.
The question is: In the light of Qur’an and Hadith, is such treatment permissible or impermissible?
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d:
A Hadith mentions that a Jew once asked Rasulullah ﷺ a question, to which he replied:
«مَآءُ الرَّجُلِ اَبْيَضُ وَمَآءُ الْمَرْاَةِ اَصْفَرُ فَاِذَا اجْتَمَعَا فَعَلاَ مَنِیُّ الرَّجُلِ مَنِیَّ الْمَرْاَةِ اَذْکَرَا بِاِذْنِ اﷲِ وَاِذَا عَلاَ مَنِیُّ الْمَرْاَةِ مَنِیَّ الرَّجُلِ آنَثَا بِاِذْنِ اﷲِ»
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Hayd, Bab Bayān Sifat Mani al-Rajul wal-Mar’ah)
Translation:
The semen of a man is white, and the discharge of a woman is yellow. When they combine, and the man’s fluid prevails, by the permission of Allah a son is born. When the woman’s fluid prevails, by the permission of Allah a daughter is born.
The Jew confirmed that this very teaching is also found in their scriptures.
✿ If through medicine the man’s semen is strengthened so that it predominates, this is not shirk.
✿ Nor is it interference in Allah’s domain.
✿ Just as it is permissible to treat other illnesses—while both doctor and patient believe that treatment is only a means and real cure is with Allah—likewise in this matter, the same rule applies.
✿ Therefore, if treatment is taken with the belief that:
❀ Medicine is only a means,
❀ Allah alone grants children,
❀ It is Allah who decides whether to grant a son or a daughter,
then such treatment is permissible in Shari‘ah.
✿ Merely adopting causes does not constitute shirk or kufr, so long as one’s belief remains aligned with the Qur’an and Sunnah.
✿ Maulana Muhammad Azam Sahib verified: “الجواب صحيح” (The answer is correct).
✿ Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Abdullah Sahib stated: “لقد أصاب من أجاب” (Indeed, the one who answered has answered correctly).
✿ Hafiz Abdul Mannan Noor Puri Sahib confirmed: “The translation of my respected teacher Maulana Muhammad Abdullah Sahib’s response is that those who answered indeed gave the correct answer, and this humble servant also endorses it.”
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Ahkam wa Masail, Issues Regarding Amulets and Ruqyah, Volume 1, Page 464
❖ Question:
Respected scholars are asked: A doctor says that if a woman continuously gives birth to girls and no son is born, then this is a type of illness known as “Uthra”. The doctor treats this condition and while prescribing the medicine, he makes it clear:
✿ Sons and daughters are solely in Allah’s control.
✿ I do not claim even one percent that medicine will definitely result in a son.
✿ If Allah wills, He may grant a son.
✿ I only provide treatment, healing and granting of a son are in Allah’s hands.
The question is: In the light of Qur’an and Hadith, is such treatment permissible or impermissible?
❖ Answer:
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d:
A Hadith mentions that a Jew once asked Rasulullah ﷺ a question, to which he replied:
«مَآءُ الرَّجُلِ اَبْيَضُ وَمَآءُ الْمَرْاَةِ اَصْفَرُ فَاِذَا اجْتَمَعَا فَعَلاَ مَنِیُّ الرَّجُلِ مَنِیَّ الْمَرْاَةِ اَذْکَرَا بِاِذْنِ اﷲِ وَاِذَا عَلاَ مَنِیُّ الْمَرْاَةِ مَنِیَّ الرَّجُلِ آنَثَا بِاِذْنِ اﷲِ»
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Hayd, Bab Bayān Sifat Mani al-Rajul wal-Mar’ah)
Translation:
The semen of a man is white, and the discharge of a woman is yellow. When they combine, and the man’s fluid prevails, by the permission of Allah a son is born. When the woman’s fluid prevails, by the permission of Allah a daughter is born.
The Jew confirmed that this very teaching is also found in their scriptures.
❖ Shar‘i Ruling Derived:
✿ If through medicine the man’s semen is strengthened so that it predominates, this is not shirk.
✿ Nor is it interference in Allah’s domain.
✿ Just as it is permissible to treat other illnesses—while both doctor and patient believe that treatment is only a means and real cure is with Allah—likewise in this matter, the same rule applies.
✿ Therefore, if treatment is taken with the belief that:
❀ Medicine is only a means,
❀ Allah alone grants children,
❀ It is Allah who decides whether to grant a son or a daughter,
then such treatment is permissible in Shari‘ah.
✿ Merely adopting causes does not constitute shirk or kufr, so long as one’s belief remains aligned with the Qur’an and Sunnah.
❖ Scholarly Endorsements:
✿ Maulana Muhammad Azam Sahib verified: “الجواب صحيح” (The answer is correct).
✿ Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Abdullah Sahib stated: “لقد أصاب من أجاب” (Indeed, the one who answered has answered correctly).
✿ Hafiz Abdul Mannan Noor Puri Sahib confirmed: “The translation of my respected teacher Maulana Muhammad Abdullah Sahib’s response is that those who answered indeed gave the correct answer, and this humble servant also endorses it.”
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
