CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT OF ARTIFICIALY INSEMINATED CHILD TO INHERIT UNDER ISLAMIC LAW

ABSTRACT

The advancement in Science and Technology and the quest for children led to the development and invention of a new process of human procreation, (Artificial Insemination) other than the natural way. This process involves obtaining the semen from a man to inseminate a woman in other to induce fertilization and produce a child, if Allah so wishes. Sometimes, the semen is obtained from the woman‟s husband and many a time from a donor (third party). However, the conception of a child through the medium of artificial insemination involving married couples may not generate any issue or problem with regards to paternity and right of inheritance under Islamic Law if such semen is that of the legal husband of a valid Muslim marriage. On the other hand, conception of a child through the donor‟s (third party) semen is definitely accomplished with the problems of paternity, the right of the child so conceived to inherit under the Law; and even raises doubts on the legality of the processes of artificial insemination. I cannot be able to provide in this project, adequate knowledge of the whole segments of the subject-matter as perfection belongs to Him alone (Allah), the knower of all things, but it is equally hoped that this project will go a very long way to sensitize the vast majority of our people on the issue of artificial insemination. Hence, this research among other things discussed therein, critically examines the legality of Artificial Insemination in line with the provisions of Islamic Law and also the implications of such insemination on the status of the child conceived there from as well as his right of inheritance under Islamic Law.