Allowance Of Abortion In Islam

Question: Asalam Alaikum. My wife had a baby but due to complications she needed emergency c-section. The doctors’ advice to her was that it would be harmful for her to have a baby within a year. Well she recently got pregnant and but it has not been a year. She fears that complications may occur during pregnancy. So she is considering abortion. I really want to ensure that I am not doing something haram by allowing her to abort this baby. It has not been more than 3 months since she is pregnant. I know everything happens by Allah’s will. I want your verdict on this .
jazack Allah.


Answer:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

The Fuqaha (jurists) have mentioned that if the mother genuinely fears serious harm upon herself by having the baby, then it will be allowed to abort the baby on the condition that the soul has not entered the body as yet. This takes place at the period of 4 months or 120 days from pregnancy. (Kitaabul Fatawa vol. 6 pg. 224).

As such, if an expert doctor has stated that your wife will be in danger by carrying on the pregnancy, and she fears that serious complications may occur which may cause harm to her or the baby, then it will be allowed for her to abort the baby at this time before the elapsing of 4 months.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

17/2/2014