The Ruling on Taking the Means to Determine the Sex of the Newborn

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, regarding the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And no female conceives or gives birth except with His knowledge.” Modern science has now reached the point of transferring the causes of pregnancy, whether for a male or a female, by following a specific dietary program that reduces the acidity of the milk in the womb, which helps prevent the male sperm from moving quickly. Does this constitute human interference in the knowledge of the unseen? Knowing that it is only a possibility, and that Allah does what He wills, do you know whether we should work on this program or not?

Answer:
The answer is mentioned at the end of the question, which is that this is an act of taking the cause. If it is established that the cause is beneficial, there is no harm in taking it. The desired result may or may not occur; this is with Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. If Allah wills, He brings about the intended purpose, and if He wills, it does not benefit. So, if it is established that this has benefit and its causality is clear, there is no objection to adopting it, provided that it does not lead to forbidden matters, such as exposing the private parts, the mixing of men and women, or the like. For now, there is meddling in this issue, which is what they call the test-tube baby, or artificial insemination. This is meddling with people’s appearances and lineages, and it exposes private parts. This matter is not permissible. As for taking medication for the sake of pregnancy, and it is known that this medication, by the permission of Allah, may be beneficial and cause pregnancy, there is no objection to it. Yes.