Is Abortion after Zina a Sin in Islam?

16 August, 2025
Q If a woman becomes pregnant through an unlawful relationship, will she go to Hell if she chooses to abort the baby, especially if her mother insists and the father refuses responsibility?

Answer

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.


In this fatwa:

In Islam, abortion is prohibited except in rare, life-threatening circumstances. A haram relationship does not justify ending an innocent life. While abortion is a grave sin, sincere repentance can lead to Allah’s forgiveness, as only He decides a person’s ultimate fate.


Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Repentance Is the First Step after a Haram Relationship

I am sorry to hear about your situation. You should turn to Allah in sincere repentance. The right course of action is to take responsibility for your choices without compounding the situation by committing another grave sin—murder.

Islamic Ruling on Abortion in Unlawful Pregnancies

In Islam, abortion is prohibited except in extremely dire circumstances, and your case does not fall under such an exception.

Engaging in an unlawful relationship has led to this pregnancy, but that does not justify ending the life of an innocent child.

Invalid Reasons for Abortion in Islam

Financial difficulties, pressure from your parents, or other personal concerns are not valid reasons for abortion. Instead, you should prepare to care for the baby.

Moving Forward With Faith and Responsibility

However, the door of repentance remains open. You must sever ties with the man involved. If he is willing to marry you, it may be an option after both of you sincerely repent. If he refuses, then he has wronged you, and you must accept the consequences of your actions while striving to move forward in a way that aligns with faith and responsibility.

The issue of abortion is further clarified in these fatwas:

Almighty Allah knows best.

About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada