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Zaheer Ahmad Khan, UK
Abortion has always been a sensitive topic. The decision to abort a fetus is one that can be emotionally and morally difficult for many women. And the political controversy around the decision only makes the subject more fraught. For example, the decision in 2022 by the United States’ Supreme Court to strike down abortion protections led to protests across the country. And in the last month, outrage ensued when a British judge handed a 28-month sentence to a mother of three for ordering pills to help abort her foetus when it was more than 10 weeks’ gestation.
Clearly, the issue of abortion is a moral one. So what does Islam teach about the morality of abortion?
Before we discuss the details of when and whether abortion is permissible, it is important to look at how pregnancy is described in the Holy Qur’an. In Chapter 23, verses 13-15, there is a description of the stages that a foetus goes through:
وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن سُلَٰلَةٖ مِّن طِينٖ *ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَٰهُ نُطۡفَةٗ فِي قَرَارٖ مَّكِينٖ* ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَٰمٗا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَٰمَ لَحۡمٗا ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَٰهُ خَلۡقًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقِينَ
‘Verily, We created man from an extract of clay; Then We placed him as a drop of sperm in a safe depository; Then We fashioned the sperm into a clot; then We fashioned the clot into a shapeless lump; then We fashioned bones out of this shapeless lump; then We clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed it into another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.’
While these verses beautifully describe the stages of the foetus, they also indicate the stages of pregnancy. As the Fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) explains,
‘According to the Qur’anic teaching, abortion can take place at an early stage when the child is not given a real, genuine identity of its own and that happens at four and a half months, according to doctors. Almost at [the] half time of pregnancy, suddenly the child gains a sort of inner consciousness and is granted an independent soul of its own. There are two periods, one of that state and one of the previous state. In the previous state, if a woman – that is a would-be mother – feels that she cannot carry the load, and is disturbed by the inner symptoms of pregnancy, she is free to get her child aborted, which has not yet become a real child. It is a potential child; [it] could have become a child, but [it] has not yet been given an independent identity. So, abortion at this early stage is less dubious. Women can go to doctors and tell them that, “we feel that this is too much for us, so examine us, and if you think you agree with us, to remove the child.” This is not a religious crime in Islam. But when, at a later stage, the child has gained its own independent identity, that is to say, if he is delivered at that stage, he can be brought up under incubation as a regular human. But prior to that stage, if something is aborted it can never be taken care of under any incubation – these are two different stages. So, at that stage, the attitude of Islam regarding abortion stiffens. According to Islam, if the doctors tell a lady that, “it is a danger to your life, if you do not abort this child it may pose a real danger to your own life,” then Islam has no objection against abortion. But for other, lesser reasons, Islam does not support abortion.’[1]
Islam gives Muslims comprehensive guidance in the Holy Qur’an that is relevant for all times and places. Allah the Almighty states:
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرَۢا بَصِيرٗا * وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُمۡ خَشۡيَةَ إِمۡلَٰقٖ ۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُهُمۡ وَإِيَّاكُمۡ ۚ إِنَّ قَتۡلَهُمۡ كَانَ خِطۡـٔٗا كَبِيرٗا * وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةٗ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلٗا *
وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظۡلُومٗا فَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَلَا يُسۡرِف فِّي ٱلۡقَتۡلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورٗا
‘Surely, thy Lord enlarges His provision for whom He pleases, and straitens it for whom He pleases. Verily, He knows and sees His servants full well. Kill not your children for fear of poverty. It is We Who provide for them and for you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin. And come not near unto adultery; surely, it is a foul thing and an evil way. And kill not the soul which Allah has forbidden save for just cause. And whoso is killed wrongfully, We have surely given his heir authority to demand retaliation, but let him not exceed the prescribed bounds in slaying; for therein he is helped by law.’[2]
Here, we find the Qur’an emphasises the fact that Allah is the Provider. As He has provided for our needs, He will provide for our children’s needs. Thus, not trusting in His ability to provide for all of creation is tantamount to doubting His attribute of being the Provider, of being All-Powerful and able to do all that He wills.
With regards to birth control and abortion, Allah the Almighty states at another instance:
قُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ أَتۡلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ۖ أَلَّا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـٔٗا ۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنٗا ۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُم مِّنۡ إِمۡلَٰقٖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُكُمۡ وَإِيَّاهُمۡ ۖ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ
‘Say, “Come, I will rehearse to you what your Lord has forbidden: that you associate not anything as partner with Him and that you do good to parents, and that you kill not your children for fear of poverty—it is We Who provide for you and for them—and that you approach not foul deeds, whether open or secret; and that you kill not the life which Allah has made sacred, save by right. That is what He has enjoined upon you, that you may understand.”’[3]
If we look closely at the aforementioned verses of Surah Bani Isra’il [Chapter 17] and Surah al-An’am [Chapter 6], we see that Allah the Almighty has reminded Muslims of three highly important facts:
In these verses, Allah the Almighty has imparted three principles regarding birth control and abortion. The propagation of the human race is only allowed by methods that are lawful. If a husband and wife are using birth control or must get an abortion out of necessity, then it should not be because they fear becoming poor or not having enough resources. Finally, no one has the right to terminate a life without cause.
The Caliphs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have consistently elaborated on the principle that birth control and abortion can be permitted for certain reasons but that the Holy Qur’an expressly forbids abortion and birth control when a lack of resources is the only reason.
Hence, while commenting on the verses in Chapter 17 quoted above, the First Caliph (ra) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Maulvi Hakim Noorudeen (ra) stated:
‘Humans possess the ability to become angry; when this exceeds the limits, it manifests in various forms. An angry person curses and kills their progeny – which is predominantly owing to their misdeeds. Then, there is also the fear of poverty, just as these days, there are some who claim that they do not wish to have many children as that is the reason for the nation’s poor state…I would be a great disbeliever if I were to think that their survival is dependent upon my wealth, whereas Allah the Almighty states:
وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُم مِّنۡ إِمۡلَٰقٖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُكُمۡ وَإِيَّاهُمۡ
[“Kill not your children for fear of poverty. It is We Who provide for them and for you”][4]
When God has promised to provide, then why should I worry?’[5]
Similarly, the Second Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra), has written, ‘It is wrong to abstain from procreating simply because of the fear of how one would be able to provide for their children. In light of this, abstaining from procreation would be akin to killing one’s children and the killing of one’s children is unlawful in all circumstances and a grave ill. Thus, it is impermissible for one to kill their children, in other words, to adopt birth control owing to the fear of poverty.’[6]
Elsewhere, he has elaborated on the providence of God and how He is the Provider, not just of resources, but also of capabilities:
‘The fact is that the human mind does not reach its full potential in normal circumstances; rather, it shows its full potential when challenged by obstacles or difficulties. Proponents of birth control fail to recognise this and ask how sustenance can be provided to the world if the population increases exponentially? In fact, when such circumstances arise, God Almighty shall provide the means and He will also enable the human mind to attain the capability that is necessary to resolve that difficulty…Actually, these people’s ill-thinking of God Almighty forms the basis of their theory, for they think that God Almighty will not able to provide for such a vast population, nor will He be able to fulfil its various other needs. However, those who believe in God Almighty and His powers cannot even entertain such thoughts.’[7]
Thus, aborting one’s children for fear of poverty means that one does not trust that God can provide both resources and knowledge to sustain future generations.
Similarly, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh), the Fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, explains that birth control out of fear of poverty is also not permitted.
‘Abortion and birth control are two different things. Birth control applies to a situation where a child has not taken root as an embryo. To prevent such happenings is called birth control. But once the child has been rooted in the uterus of the womb it begins to grow – that is called abortion if you abort such a child. Islamic attitude on both these things are very clear. As far as birth control is concerned, Islam is not against it. Provided, the birth control is not for the fear that the family will be left without food if there are more mouths created to eat and share the food, Islam totally rejects it and inhibits birth control for this reason, and only for this reason. For other genuine reasons, birth control is not forbidden.
So, you see, in the early society of the Holy Founder of Islam (sa), people used to exercise birth control in the sense that they would take whatever way is available to them not to make their wives pregnant, and this is called “azl” [8] in Arabic. This was common knowledge, and everybody did it, but the question of doing it for the sake of “saving one’s food” and not permitting other mouths to share it, this is dejected by God very strongly…For every other genuine reason, it is not forbidden. For the reason of health of ladies, for instance, for the reason of upkeeping of children, for instance, no birth control is forbidden.’
Elaborating further, the Fourth Caliph (rh) also highlighted how, far from being a source of poverty, more children bring more resources and are actually a source of expanding provisions and resources:
‘To kill out of fear of poverty means that one should not employ the use of family planning out of the fear that by having many children, their resources will be depleted. In fact, the solution for poor nations actually is to have many children. If there are many children, then they become compelled to travel and migrate to other countries and much of the wealth which comes in to poor nations from foreign countries comes from having more children. The second meaning is that sometimes, the companions would use family planning, but not for fear of increased progeny. They knew that it was in Allah’s hands to provide. Therefore, if family planning is not employed out of fear of loss of wealth, then there is no harm in it. In that case, the standard practices can be adopted, however family planning for fear of one’s provisions is indeed forbidden.’[9] Not only do immigrants from poorer nations contribute to their families back home, but they also improve the economies of their host countries by expanding the labour pool and helping the economies of richer nations.[10]
In addition to the Holy Qur’an, we can also find guidance on the morality of birth control or abortion from the traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa). As far as contraception, or birth control is concerned, we find guidance from the Holy Prophet (sa) in the following narration. Hazrat Abu Sa’id Khudrira narrates:
فِي غَزْوَةِ بَنِي الْمُصْطَلِقِ أَنَّهُمْ أَصَابُوا سَبَايَا فَأَرَادُوا أَنْ يَسْتَمْتِعُوا بِهِنَّ وَلَا يَحْمِلْنَ فَسَأَلُوا النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنِ الْعَزْلِ فَقَالَ مَا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ لَا تَفْعَلُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ كَتَبَ مَنْ هُوَ خَالِقٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ
‘When the people received handmaids [11] from the spoils obtained after the expedition of Banu Mustaliq and desired to copulate with them whilst avoiding impregnation, they inquired from the Holy Prophet (sa) about coitus interruptus (Azl). In response, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Even if you do not perform coitus interruptus, it will cause you no harm for Allah has written the names of all who will be born until the Day of Judgement.”’[12]
The Holy Prophet (sa) did not deem coitus interruptus unlawful, however, he also made it clear to the companions that God Almighty possesses power over all things. In other words, if God desires to bring life into this world, that child will be born whether coitus interruptus is practised or not.
There is also guidance found from the Holy Prophet (sa) regarding coitus interruptus with one’s wife, in which the Holy Prophet (sa) clearly states that it is forbidden to perform coitus interruptus without the permission of one’s wife. As such, Hazrat Umar (ra) narrates:
قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يُعْزَلَ عَنْ الْحُرَّةِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهَا
‘The Holy Prophet (sa) has forbidden coitus interruptus without the permission with one’s wife who is a free woman.’[13]
Whilst elaborating on the two aforementioned Ahadith [sayings of the Holy Prophet (sa)], Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) writes:
‘The Holy Prophet (sa) declared that on the basis of necessity or wisdom, it is lawful for a man to employ any such method by which his wife does not become pregnant as a result of intercourse. In light of this edict, it is permissible for a Muslim to employ birth control for the health and well-being of his wife or children, or for any other genuine purpose. However, as derived from a Qur’anic verse, Islam does not permit the use of birth control for the fear of poverty or financial difficulty, nor does it permit the use of such methods without the wife’s permission.’ [14]
Again, a verse form the Qur’an sheds light on this as well:
لَا تُضَآرَّ وَٰلِدَةُۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلَا مَوۡلُودٞ لَّهُۥ بِوَلَدِهِۦ
‘…The mother shall not make the father suffer on account of her child, nor shall he to whom the child belongs make the mother suffer on account of his child…’[15]
The child has a relation with both the mother and father, therefore both parents have an equal say in relation to their child. Thus, in most cases, neither has the right to unilaterally decide to practice birth control.
In respect to the relationship of a husband and wife, Allah the Almighty states:
نِسَآؤُكُمۡ حَرۡثٞ لَّكُمۡ فَأۡتُواْ حَرۡثَكُمۡ أَنَّىٰ شِئۡتُمۡ ۖ وَقَدِّمُواْ لِأَنفُسِكُمۡ ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُم مُّلَٰقُوهُ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
‘Your wives are a tilth for you; so approach your tilth when and how you like and send ahead some good for yourselves; and fear Allah and know that you shall meet Him; and give good tidings to those who obey.’[16]
This metaphor in the Holy Qur’an also sheds light on the relationship between husband and wife. In accordance with the prophecies of our Holy Master and Chosen One, Muhammad (sa), Islam was revived in this era with the advent of the Judge and Arbiter, the Promised Messiah (as). In his ever-insightful commentary of this verse, he states:
‘Your women are your tilth for yielding your offspring. Thus, approach your tilth in whatever manner you please. Bear this similitude of a tilth in mind; in other words, do not copulate with them in a manner that prevents the conception of a child. In early Islam, some men would restrain themselves from ejaculating and would ejaculate after withdrawing themselves. This verse has forbidden them from doing so and has thus regarded women as a tilth – land which yields every type of produce. Thus, in this verse God has unequivocally stated that because a woman is likened to a tilth that yields offspring as its produce, it is impermissible to prevent this tilth from bearing children. Indeed, if the woman is ill and it is certain that pregnancy will risk her death and if there are any other preventative factors then these would be considered as exemptions. Otherwise, according to Islamic law, it is unlawful to practice birth control.’[17]
It is evidently clear from these words of the Promised Messiah (as) that the Holy Qur’an has declared abortion for fear of poverty and lack of provision to be unlawful. Apart from this, if for any other reason that is legitimate reason someone decides to have an abortion then it is permissible.
The Second Caliph (ra) makes several deductions in light of this verse. He states:
‘In this verse, the following matters have been stated:
It is also evident from this verse that those who claim that it is necessary to procreate under all circumstances and consider birth control to be impermissible, are wrong. If, after having harvested the crop, the land is immediately cultivated again, the subsequent crop would not be of a good quality and the third yield would be of even lesser quality. Islam does not prohibit one from procreating, in fact it commands it, but at the same time it enjoins that the Divine laws which one adheres to for the cultivation of their land should also be kept in mind when it comes to procreation. An astute farmer does not utilise his land to such an extent that it deteriorates, or the land becomes infertile, or that he loses his own strength and is not even able to harvest the crops, or the crops become spoilt. In the same manner, one ought to show consideration to their wives. If one is unable to facilitate a good upbringing for their children or the wife’s health could be endangered, then one should abstain from procreating.’[18]
The aforementioned extract of the Second Caliph (ra) is a strong argument in favour of birth control owing to legitimate reasons and also a beautiful commentary of the verse of the Holy Qur’an.
Birth control is also permissible if there is a risk that the child could be born with mental or physical disabilities. In relation to this, the Second Caliph (ra) has stated,
‘Birth control…is permissible if there is danger to the health of the child or the mother. For example, if there is a risk that the child could be born with mental or physical disabilities, or if the woman’s health is so weak that giving birth could risk her life. In such circumstances, one can utilise birth control.’
Not only is birth control permissible on the grounds of legitimate reasons, but in fact, even in the last stages of pregnancy when the birth of the child is very close, if the doctors are of the view that the mother’s life could be at risk by giving birth then according to Islam, it is permissible to abort the child. In relation to this, the Second Caliph (ra) states:
‘For example, if the woman is not in good health, then it would be permissible to adopt birth control. The reason why birth control is prohibited [for fear of poverty] is because it would be based merely on an assumption. Thus, to adopt birth control for such reasons is prohibited. However, it is not prohibited to adopt birth control in instances where there is an obvious and established risk.
Apart from birth control, there are instances where even after the development of the foetus, the pregnancy can be terminated. For example, if there is a risk that the natural birth of the child could prove fatal for the mother. In such a case it would be permissible to abort the pregnancy. This is because it cannot be said for certain whether the child would survive after its birth, however the mother is already a valuable member of the society. Thus, a definite loss would be given priority over a possible loss and the child would be aborted.’[19]
Commenting on a report of Majlis Ifta [Department of Jurisprudence] on the issue of abortion, His Holiness, the Fifth Caliph (aba) stated,
‘Apart from illness and risk to life, there are some other instances as well whereby abortion is permitted.’ He further clarified that, as mentioned in detail above, it is not permissible to abort a foetus because of fear of poverty.
With regards to decisions based on medical grounds, doctors would be able to decide best. If the birth of the child poses a risk to the mother’s life or could cause complications for the child, then the decision of aborting the child would be ultimately for the doctors to make based on their medical expertise.
Recently in a programme on MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya) a question was asked as to whether Islam permits abortion in the case of rape or if there is risk to the mother’s or child’s health. Answering this question, His Holiness, the Fifth Caliph (aba) stated,
‘That is the burning issue in the United States, nowadays. Islam says that you should not kill your children because of the fear of their upbringing or because of finances. That is the only thing which Islam prohibits for abortion. Otherwise, Islam says that if the health of the woman is not good, they can do abortion; if the baby is not properly developing, they can do abortion, even from the foetus stage to the later stage. So, in the case of rape, also, if the woman likes that she cannot bear the burden of this child because of the society, they will raise fingers at her all the time, and even if the child is born, the child will also face difficulties in his or her environment, then the mother can decide to get it aborted. Islam permits it.
But not because [of the reason] that how can I take care of the child? This is the only thing. Allah says that “I provide you for your well-being, I provide you your food and I am the Provider.”’[20]
In conclusion, based on Islamic teachings, it is prohibited and unlawful to adopt birth control or have an abortion over the fear of a lack of provisions. In accordance with the guidance of the Holy Prophet (sa), every individual can make their own judgment based on their individual circumstances as to whether they have legitimate grounds for birth control or abortion. The Promised Messiah (as), the Judge and Arbiter of this age, whose advent was in accordance with prophecies made by the Holy Prophet (sa), has very comprehensively explained this matter in the following words,
‘Likewise, providing one’s intentions are pure, if there are any other preventative factors then these would also be considered as exemptions.’
Thus, Muslims are taught to trust in God and His attribute of being the Provider. Yet recognising that there may be many factors that might lead a woman to make the difficult decision to abort a foetus, Islam also allows Muslims to make those decisions when the circumstances require it.
About the Author: Zaheer Ahmad Khan is an Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who has specialised in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence [Fiqh]. Amongst his various responsibilities, he is a senior lecturer at Jamia Ahmadiyya UK in the subjects of Hadith and Fiqh, where he also serves as the Head of the Academics Committee. He is also a member of Dar-ul-Qaza [Ahmadiyya Arbitration Council] and regularly appears on MTA International as a panellist on programmes related to Islamic Jurisprudence.
ENDNOTES
[1] Question & Answer Session in Germany, 31st August 1998.
[2] The Holy Qur’an, 17:31-34.
[3] The Holy Qur’an, 6:152
[4] The Holy Qur’an, 17:32.
[5] Haqa’iq al-Furqan, Vol. 2, pp. 532-533.
[6] Tafsir-e-Kabir, [Surah Bani Isra’il], Vol. 4, p. 327.
[7] Al-Fazl Qadian, No. 145, Vol. 20, 6th June 1933, p. 7.
[8] Referring to coitus interruptus.
[9] Al Fazl International, 22-28 February 2002, p. 6.
[10] https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2023/02/23/immigrants-make-economies-more-dynamic-increase-employment-growth/?sh=41f25eb6427c
[11] For further reading on the subject of ‘handmaidens’ refer to The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 227.
[12] Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tauhid, bab Qaul Allah huwa Allah al-Khaliq al-Bari’ al-Musawwir.
[13] Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Nikah, Bab al-‘Azl.
[14] Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 445.
[15] The Holy Qur’an, 2:234.
[1] The Holy Qur’an, 2:224.
[17] Chashma-e-Ma’rifat, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 23, p. 292.
[18] Faza’il al-Qur’an, No. 3, Anwar al-Ulum, Vol. 11, pp. 605-606.
[19] Tafsir-e-Kabir [Surah Bani Isra’il], Vol. 4, p. 327.
[20] This Week with Huzoor, 3rd June 2022
Google, Islam & Muslims: Short answers to common questions.
Google, Islam & Muslims: Short answers to common questions.
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His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) continued mentioning the expedition of Raji’