Article 3 of the Saudi Fertility Units Law
المادة 3 من نظام وحدات الإخصاب والأجنة وعلاج العقم · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
The article requires fertilization, embryo and infertility treatment units to comply, in carrying on their activity, with the religious rulings issued by the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تلتزم وحدات الإخصاب والأجنة وعلاج العقم في ممارسة نشاطها بالفتاوى الشرعية التي تصدرها هيئة كبار العلماء في المملكة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 3 explained in plain English
This article sets the religious reference for the work of fertilization units. Every unit, government or private, independent or part of a health institution under the definition in Article 1, must in carrying on its activity comply with the religious rulings (fatwas) issued by the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom.
- Who is addressed: fertilization, embryo and infertility treatment units.
- Scope of the obligation: the carrying on of all of their activity.
- The reference: specifically the fatwas of the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom.
The article does not state the content of these fatwas; it refers to them in general terms. This means the obligation is not limited to the provisions of the Law, but extends to what the Council issues in fatwas on this field.
This ruling sits between two articles that contain controls of a religious nature: Article 2, which permits treating treatable infertility on the basis of a medical report and absolutely prohibits fertilization where inability to have children is established, and Article 4, which requires confirming that a marital relationship exists before starting treatment, prohibits fertilizing the wife's egg with the husband's sperm after divorce or death, and obliges the doctor to stop fertilization and insemination procedures when that occurs.
Anyone who needs to know the legal effect of this obligation on a particular unit may consult a lawyer specializing in health regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 3 of the Saudi Fertility Units Law
Are IVF centers in Saudi Arabia bound by religious rulings?
Yes. Fertilization, embryo and infertility treatment units must, in carrying on their activity, comply with the religious rulings issued by the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom.
Does the obligation cover private centers?
Yes. Under the Law, the unit means any medical unit, government or private.
Does the article give the details of the fatwas?
No. The article refers to the fatwas of the Council of Senior Scholars without stating their content.
More articles on Sharia Rules for Infertility Treatment
- Article 2
The article permits medical intervention to treat infertility caused by reduced fertility or a treatable medical problem on the basis of a medical report, and absolutely prohibits fertilization where inability to have children is established.
يجوز التدخل الطبي لعلاج العقم الناتج عن ضعف الخصوبة أو عن وجود مشكلة مرضية قابلة للعلاج بناء على تقرير طبي، ولا يجوز إطلاقًا إجراء عمليات الإخصاب لعلاج العقم ال
- Article 4
The article requires confirming that a marriage exists before treatment, prohibits fertilizing the wife's egg with the husband's sperm after divorce or death, and obliges the doctor to stop fertilization and insemination when that happens.
يجب التأكد من وجود علاقة زواج قائمة قبل البدء في العلاج، ويحظر تخصيب أي بييضة للزوجة بنطفة الزوج بعد الطلاق أو الوفاة، ويجب على الطبيب عند حدوث ذلك أن يوقف عملي
- Article 5
The article prohibits implanting a fertilized egg from a couple in the uterus of another wife or another woman, insemination with sperm from someone other than the husband, and fertilizing an egg of someone other than the wife.
لا يجوز زرع بييضة مخصبة من زوجين في رحم زوجة أخرى أو امرأة أخرى، ولا يجوز التلقيح بنطفة من غير الزوج ولا تخصيب بييضة لغير الزوجة.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.