Hi! My name is Diana

I am doing a school assignment for studies of religion at school and it asks me to research how two different religious traditions respond to euthanasia and abortion. I’ve been looking everywhere and came to this website and thought you mite help me. What does Islam has to say about EUTHANASIA and ABORTION?

Thank you. 

Diana
Australia

Thank you for contacting JI Diana!
An assignment warrants serious in-depth studies, references and review, which means spending time and labour in libraries and other useful sources. Briefly, Islam does not permit abortion under normal health conditions, and considers it an elaborate act of killing an innocent person, which is heinous crime under any law.
Let me briefly explain for you once again.

(1) Abortion could be allowed for a lady's health sake, and that too when properly suggested by some responsible specialist/physician.

(2) Under normal health conditions, and particularly when the foetus is developed enough (that specialists consider it a live body), abortion amounts to deliberate killing and therefore, not allowed.

(3) Abortion or even prevention of conception for fear of economic hardships, is the negation of the basic article of Islamic faith that God is sole Provider and Sustainer of every living soul. That being the reason, the act will be un-Islamic.

(4) Seeking abortion for no "good" reason at all, and saying that the "mother" or "father" just does not want that baby - is inhuman and cruel thinking. No sane person would allow that.

(5) If even the conception is the result of extra-marital union or forced rape, abortion is not allowed, because the (innocent) baby to be, has the right to life, that can not be denied. The biological parents - both or either one - or else the society/state is responsible to take care of such "un-wanted" or illegal births.

Authentic specialist (medical) opinion can be obtained to ascertain if there was any serious danger to mother and child, and that there was really no other way to save the mother’s life, but through abortion. That seems only one condition, where abortion could be considered, again under the guidance of some learned scholar of Islamic Law. I am personally so scared about this issue of “abortion at demand”, that I generally flatly refuse to subscribe to the idea. The reason is that women (and at time husband as well) demand abortion for petty reasons, that only reflect inhuman anti-natalist mood. I am almost sure that in over-whelming cases the demand emanates from social taboos, the base-less economic fears, for not wanting to have a she baby and by way of fashion that has come along with the western concept of individuals’ rights and worldview. In a traditional Islamic society where alien culture is yet not dominant, the demand for abortion, or desire for a small family and the like, are still at the minimum level. Probably those areas provide genuine cases, where consideration was possible.

On the issue of euthanasia, Islamic position is that since a human being does not owns and masters his/her life, therefore, he can NOT decide and ask for death. No. The Islamic view starts from the fact that life (like the rest) is a trust from Allah, and can be terminated by Allah alone. There can be no euthanasia, whether with "dignity" or otherwise.

M. Haq

Assalam-o-Alaikum!
I have conceived two months back. My conscious does not allow me to have the child. I do not like in any case to have the child. Islam does not allow abortion for the reason of providing food & care. But I feel I can't be successful in carrying out my studies and will not be able to take proper care. I want abortion for this reason. I need answer in Islamic context because I don't want to go against the will of Allah. Please suggest through e-mail not by postal mail.

Safia,
India

Dear Safia, Wa Alaikum Assalam.
You've not given any good reason, whatsoever, to seek abortion. Just to say that you do not want, makes no sense to deny "life" to an innocent baby to be - who in his/her own human capacity has all the rights that you both enjoy. One of these rights (legal one) is that you provide the "baby" full parenthood, if even it entails your re-assessment of your "love". I wish you follow what I'm saying, and that is the only responsible course.

Let me briefly explain for you once again.

(1) Abortion could be allowed for a lady's health sake, and that too when properly suggested by some responsible specialist/physician.

(2) Under normal health conditions, and particularly when the foetus is developed enough (that specialists consider it a live body), abortion amounts to deliberate killing and therefore, not allowed.

(3) Abortion or even prevention of conception for fear of economic hardships, is the negation of the basic article of Islamic faith that God is sole Provider and Sustainer of every living soul. That being the reason, the act will be un-Islamic.

(4) Seeking abortion for no "good" reason at all, and saying that the "mother" or "father" just does not want that baby - is inhuman and cruel thinking. No sane person would allow that.

(5) If even the conception is the result of extra-marital union or forced rape, abortion is not allowed, because the (innocent) baby to be, has the right to life, that can not be denied. The biological parents - both or either one - or else the society/state is responsible to take care of such "un-wanted" or illegal births.

Regards,

M. Haq

Asalam Alaikom.
My question is related to abortion, I have already read some material on your web site and I have concluded that it is "haram" and considered as murder. My question is as follows:
I am living with a Norwegian women (married the muslim way not registered legally), after 6 years we have come to the conclusion that our life together demands a lot of sacrifice, which is not attainable (different religions and beliefs, they way we want to raise children and so forth).
We, therefore, have decided to separate from each other. Then the news came that she was pregnant. I informed her that I still want a Muslim life for my children and that there is no question about that. She replied that it would be difficult for her since she is not Muslim and cannot deliver that kind of quality for my children, she is thinking of an abortion. My question is, what should my position be, in light of what she says (she does not agree with my wishes of becoming a Muslim). Am I held accountable for her abortion, I told her that there are many options:

1) Give birth and give the child to me. (Of course, it would be difficult for her!)
2) Give birth and keep the child. (She answered that she knows that would bring problems between us in the future)
3) Give birth and live by my standards as my wife.

She answers NO to all the above and says that the only solution for her is to abort. (Deep inside of me I do not want to commit murder and at the same time I do not want this baby because of the problems it brings).
How should I come about this and how accountable for the abortion am I. Should I lie to her to make her not abort and if I do not am I accountable? Please send words of wisdom since I need them desperately.

Thank you

Sadik
Norway

Dear Sadik, Wa Alaikum Assalam.
You've not given any good reason, whatsoever, to seek abortion. Just to say that you or your wife doesn't want, makes no sense to deny "life" to an innocent baby to be - who in his/her own human capacity has all the rights that you both enjoy. One of these rights (legal one) is that you both provide the "baby" full parenthood, if even it entails your re-assessment of your "love" and a decision against divorce. I wish you follow what I'm saying, and that is the only responsible course.

Wassalam,

Thank you for your response....

My problem is actually that I tried to convince her to keep the child and give birth. But she says that she does not want to do that as it would only make it more difficult for her and cause problems between us. Does that mean that I am also to blame if she decides to take an abortion?
She is only willing to keep the baby if she is sure that we will be happy living together, but then she says that she knows we will not be happy since we have different beliefs and culture.
I told her that we can try, have the baby and deal with the problems later, but she thinks she does not want it because all the complications it brings.

Sadiq

Thank you for contacting again dear Mr. Sadik! WaAlaikum Assalam,

Having gone through your latest message (Feb; 5), I do not feel to make any change in my previous answer. I would rather add that you stop further arguments with your wife, about whether the baby would be Muslim or non-Muslim. Give your wife the open choice to suggest any mode, but with one proviso: that the baby's live birth and proper up-keep is ensured. Having given your wife the pledge and having soundly secured the life guarantee for the baby, sever all future relations with your wife, departing with respect, of course.
This experience should work as an eye-opener for you, and those who marry in foreign lands, and later knowing not what to do to get out of the mess. I hope you having affected this separation, will seek the hand of a chaste, responsible and God-fearing Muslim lady for marriage, if you so wished.

M. Haq

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