Analyzing Male Infertility Through the Lens of Religiosity and Spirituality Among Muslim Men in Pakistan

Male infertility is recognized as a multidimensional health issue that covers the physiological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Despite the availability of prior literature on infertility, the role of religion and spirituality in understanding and coping with male infertility has remained unexplored. This gap is particularly pronounced in Muslim societies such as Pakistan, where religious beliefs significantly shape individuals' health experiences and coping strategies. This study explores how religious beliefs and spiritual practices shape the experiences of Muslim men dealing with infertility. This qualitative study employed a purposive sampling technique to collect data from 13 infertile Muslim men residing in Lahore, Pakistan. The authors conducted a thematic analysis of the data. The findings showed that the respondents believe Allah (God) has control over their fertility and express hope that divine intervention could bring positive change to their lives. They also expressed a belief that evil spirits are obstructing their fertility, physical well-being, and personal progress. To cope with emotional distress and suffering, they engage in various religious and spiritual practices, including prayer (dua), charity (sadaqah), and visiting shrines to perform rituals. These religious coping practices serve as a source of resilience, hope, and emotional support, allowing respondents to find solace in their faith and overcome psychological challenges. Additionally, this research contributes to understanding the male infertility experiences within the context of religion and spirituality. Future research should examine the therapeutic rituals that Muslim men practice for addressing infertility. Researchers should also conduct a comparative analysis of various religious groups, such as Christianity and Hinduism, to explore the similarities and differences in infertility experiences and coping strategies across these religions.