Haram or Halal? A very frequent question is raised in the Muslim community but did you know it is not only limited to food? Is abortion haram, is the other most concerned topic among all Muslims as it accounts for the lives of both mother and her child.
The view on abortion in Islam is nuanced and differs between scholars and cultures. Some academics contend that abortion is only legal when the woman is at imminent risk of dying.
Abortion is forbidden in Islam if it is done for any other cause than those above. Some, however, agree that it is acceptable to have an abortion when the mother’s life is in jeopardy or when there has been rape.
While there is disagreement among Muslim scholars over the time at which abortion becomes prohibited, the bulk of them supports it. Some Muslim Americans are turning to their religion to guide their reproductive choices, finding solace in the notion that abortion can safeguard a woman’s health.
In this blog post, we shall address this no-one-size-fits-all query as it is still unclear to many. We intend to educate all our readers with the most authentic possible knowledge. If even after reading this article, “Is abortion haram” you are still unsure you should speak with your own religious authorities and make your own informed choices based on your own circumstances and beliefs.
What Makes Abortion Haram?
Intentional abortion is not specifically addressed in the Quran, although Hadith and the perspectives of legal and religious experts and commentators influence Muslims’ views on the topic.
The act of aborting a pregnancy is prohibited (haram) in Islam, and if it is done, the Diyah Blood Money/ransom is required. Nonetheless, some academics support abortion in specific situations, like rape or when the mother’s life is at risk.
Most schools believe abortion is acceptable if the pregnancy causes the mother physical or mental damage; socioeconomic concerns or the appearance of fetal deformities are also frequently seen as justifications for abortion.
Islam holds that the fetus doesn’t become a living thing until 120 days (4 months) have passed after conception. Some academics permit abortion prior to this, for example, if the mother’s life is in jeopardy or the fetus has a fatal condition.
Most scholars, however, believe that abortion is prohibited after 120 days since it is viewed as taking a human life.
In What Cases Abortion Is Halal In Islam?
The Islamic view on abortion is complex and varies among scholars and communities.
1. Saving The Life Of The Mother
Abortion may be approved as halal if the mother’s life is seriously in danger if the pregnancy is allowed to continue. Yet, according to Islamic scholars from all schools, abortion is permitted as long as the woman’s life comes first and takes precedence over the life of the unborn.
This is true because the fetus is simply “potential” life, but the woman is the “original source of life.”
2. Child Rape Pregnancy
According to certain Muslim thinkers, a rape child is a legal justification for abortion.
3. Severe Fetal Abnormality
If the fetus has a fatal abnormality or deformity that would make it impossible for the baby to survive outside the womb or would cause unbearable suffering, then abortion may be considered halal.
No of the reason, the fetus cannot be aborted after the soul has been poured into it. However according to Islamic scholars from all schools, if the mother’s life is in danger, abortion is permitted even after the fetus has reached the ensoulment stage.
What Hadiths Calls Out Abortion To Be Haram?
Scholars and jurists frequently reference a number of hadiths—narrations of the Prophet Muhammad’s, peace be upon him—sayings and deeds—to argue that abortion is haram (forbidden) in Islam.
These are a few instances:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud:
“Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then he explained it [by saying that] he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book 8, Hadith 472)
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:
“The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘Whoever aborts a female fetus because of a dislike of her, then his place is in Hell.'”
(Sunan An-Nasa’i, Book 22, Hadith 3153)
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FAQs: Is Abortion Haram
Q 1. Is Birth Control Allowed In Islam?
A 1. Islam is not against birth control, provided that it is not for the fear that the family will be left without a child. Contraception is not expressly mentioned in the Qur’an, however, eight of the nine traditional schools of Islamic jurisprudence allow for it.
Q 2. What Does The Quran Say About Having A Miscarriage?
A 2. Hadith, which are the words, deeds, and silent approbation of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as transmitted through a line of narrators, influence Muslim opinions on abortion.
Q 3. How Many Weeks Is Abortion Haram?
A 3. According to Islamic jurists from all schools, it is not acceptable to abort a fetus after the soul has been infused into it.
Conclusion
So, Is abortion haram? Yes, it is haram provided no emergent situation has arrived. It is significant to highlight that Islamic scholars may interpret and disagree on how these instances should be handled. Thus, it is advised that people seeking advice on this subject speak with qualified academics and base their conclusions on their unique situation.
