Child-spacing is not considered to be a valid excuse in Shariah for abortion

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Question:

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.

Respected muftisaheb.

A lady wants to abort her foetus at 5 weeks. She says it was not a planned pregnancy and it will be difficult to upbring with her other 2 infants. Will abortion be permissible?

Answer:

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

As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.

In principle, a woman may abort her foetus before the period of 120 days of pregnancy if she has a valid excuse that is acceptable in Shariah.[1]

However, after a period of 120 days of pregnancy, she is not allowed to abort under any circumstances unless if the situation is such where the mother’s life is in danger and a reliable doctor has advised to do so.

In the enquired situation, child-spacing is not considered to be a valid excuse in Shariah for abortion. Therefore, it will not be permissible to abort the foetus.[2][3]

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

Shahid Shaikh

Student Darul Iftaa
New Jersey, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.