The fiqh status of conjoined twins: A systematic evaluation in the basic areas of Islamic law

With the growth of the human population and the widespread use of mass media, the rare phenomenon of conjoined twins has become more visible. These cases have been the subject of extensive research in the fields of medicine and biology, while also giving rise to religious and legal debates alongside efforts to improve their quality of life. In terms of religious practice, difficulties related to fulfilling essential duties such as prayer, fasting, and ablution have become matters requiring practical solutions. Additionally, within the context of social relations, the need has arisen to clarify the legal status of conjoined twins in areas such as marriage, inheritance, and criminal law. At the center of these debates lies the question of whether conjoined twins should be regarded as one individual or as two separate individuals. This issue is crucial for both religious rulings and legal regulations. The main motivation of this study is the limited number of academic works on the subject. The study first defines the concept of conjoined twins and examines existing classifications. It then analyzes historical examples and controversial issues related to marriage, inheritance and criminal law. Finally, the study discusses how conjoined twins may fulfill their religious obligations. Consequently, the legal status of conjoined twins in Islamic jurisprudence is determined according to the specific circumstances of each individual case rather than by fixed rulings. The research was conducted using a qualitative method based on document analysis.