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Is Abortion Allowed If There is Fear of Fetal Abnormalities?

02 May, 2022
Q I am in need of a fatwa regarding abortion. My husband and I have incompatible blood types. When I got pregnant with my first child, I developed a condition that would put a future pregnancy at risk of fetal abnormalities if the fetus blood type is incompatible with mine. These fetal abnormalities prevent the child from having a normal life. There is no cure for the disease, only medical intervention to try to reduce the impact on the fetus as much as possible. The outcome is only known at birth. Is it permissible to abort a fetus before 120 days if its blood type is incompatible with mine? I am struggling to decide as I really want to have another child. Thank you in advance.

Answer

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
02 May, 2022

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:

  1. Some scholars are of the view that if the team of experts determines that there is an untreatable condition in the embryo, then abortion is allowed before the 120 days.
  2. In the future, you ought to preempt such a situation by resorting to safe methods of contraception. 

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

I am sorry to hear about your predicament. I also pray to Allah to inspire you to face your test with patience and to guide you to make a decision that pleases Him.

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Abortion after 120 days of pregnancy 

Abortion is forbidden after the ensoulment (breathing of soul into the fetus), which takes place when the pregnancy reaches 120 days. Once it has reached this stage, abortion is akin to taking an innocent life.

Abortion before 120 days of pregnancy 

The question remains how about abortion before 120 days? 

Scholars rule abortion as forbidden unless necessitated for saving the life of the mother. In such a case, it is allowed because of unavoidable necessity. Allah says, 

{But whosoever is compelled by necessity, without willfully disobeying or transgressing, truly thy Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.} (Al-Maidah 6:145)

Abortion and untreatable condition in the embryo

Some scholars are of the view that if the team of experts determines that there is an untreatable condition in the embryo, then abortion is allowed before the 120 days. They also base this ruling on the verse mentioned above. However, I must add this view is not shared by all.

A Piece of Advice

I would advise you against going through the pregnancy unless it poses a real risk for you or the embryo. 

Before concluding, I would rush to add: In the future, you ought to preempt such a situation by resorting to safe methods of contraception.  I pray to Allah to forgive our sins and shower us with His mercy. 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: www.askthescholar.com