Search »

Advanced Search »

Traveling: Rulings and Etiquettes (10+ Fatwas)

Islamic Terms Revisited (Folder)

10+ Fatwas Series

Friday Khutbahs

Religious Pages

Live Fatwas

Live Dialogues

Shari`ah Forum

Living Shari`ah

Services

Last Update: 05:26 GMT, Tuesday, Feb. 09, 2010

Living Shari`ah > Fatwa Bank

 

Question and Answer Details

Name of Questioner

Ahmad   - Ireland

Title

Abortion: Forbidden in All Stages?

Question

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I would like to know how much money I should pay in expiation for the abortion of fetus less than 120 days old. The reason for the abortion was that the pregnancy was causing tremendous psychological pressure on the mother, who is a medical student and who felt that she would never be able to cope with her studies while bringing up a child. The abortion was done because we felt that this was sufficient justification. However, the mother now feels great regret, particularly since she has learned that Islamic Shari`ah forbids abortion even at the very early stages of pregnancy. Jazakum Allah khayran.

Date

13/Dec/2004

Name of Counsellor

European Council for Fatwa and Research

Topic

Pregnancy & newborns

Answer

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Brother, first of all, we’d like to say that we are impressed by your question, which emanates from a thoughtful heart. May Allah Almighty help us all adhere to the principles of this true religion, Islam, and enable us to be among the dwellers of Paradise in the Hereafter, Ameen.

First of all, it is to be stated that Islam forbids abortion in all stages of pregnancy. When the pregnancy reaches 120 days old, abortion becomes totally forbidden and is deemed a form of murder that results in compensation becoming liable. If abortion is done prior to this period, no compensation is liable but one should ask forgiveness and promise never to commit it again. In addition, it is highly recommended to do much righteous deeds such as giving in charity, etc.

In response to the question in point, the European Council for Fatwa and Research, issued the following fatwa:

Indeed, abortion is forbidden in Islam whether it be in the earlier stages of pregnancy or otherwise. The extent of sin incurred varies according to the stage of pregnancy, so that less sin would be incurred if the abortion took place during the early stages, while it becomes increasingly haram (unlawful) as the pregnancy advances. When the pregnancy reaches 120 days old, abortion becomes totally forbidden and is deemed a form of murder that results in compensation becoming liable. This compensation is equal in value to 213 grams of gold, and it is given to the heir who did not participate in the abortion (i.e., brother/sister or grandparent(s), etc., according to the laws of inheritance).

However, the only condition under which abortion is allowed is when there is an actual threat to the life of the mother confirmed by an official medical report that if the pregnancy advances any further, the mother may die.

Given the above, since the abortion was done in the case in hand before the fetus was 120 days old, then no compensation is liable. However, it remains a sin, which one should ask forgiveness for and promise never to commit again. If the mother wishes to give in charity besides all this, then that is even better. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an: (Verily, the good deeds omit the bad deeds… ) (Yunus 10: 114)

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: www.ecfr.org

You can also read:

Means For Expiating Sins

Abortion from an Islamic Perspective

Aborting a Child Infected with AIDS

Aborting a Fetus Resulting from Rape

Abortion Fills Me with Remorse: How to Repent?

Abortion in Case of Close Pregnancies

Abortion in Case of Multiple Embryos

Allah Almighty knows best.

 

Print Send to a friend

Quakes: Shari`ah Q & A (Folder)

Islamic Terms Revisited (Folder)

Al-Quds: The Olive City (Folder)

 

Your Mufti

Your Contribution

 

 

 

 



 

News | Living Shari`ah | Health & Science | Politics in Depth | Discover Islam | Family | Art & Culture | Youth

 

About Us | Speech of Sheikh Qaradawi | Contact Us | Advertise | Support IOL | Site Map