This response is derived from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
My wife suffers from high blood pressure, and pregnancy poses a severe risk to her life. Doctors have advised her to avoid becoming pregnant. However, by Allah’s decree, she has conceived, and the pregnancy is in its early weeks. The doctor has suggested an abortion, but my wife refrained from acting on this advice until knowing the Islamic ruling. Is abortion permissible for her in this case?
Answer:
Ruling on Abortion Due to Medical Necessity
Question:My wife suffers from high blood pressure, and pregnancy poses a severe risk to her life. Doctors have advised her to avoid becoming pregnant. However, by Allah’s decree, she has conceived, and the pregnancy is in its early weeks. The doctor has suggested an abortion, but my wife refrained from acting on this advice until knowing the Islamic ruling. Is abortion permissible for her in this case?
Answer:
- Abortion Within 40 Days:
- It is permissible to terminate the pregnancy using lawful and Halal methods if it is within the first 40 days of conception. During this period, the pregnancy is considered to be in the nutfah (drop of fluid) stage.
- Abortion After 40 Days:
- Abortion after 40 days is also permissible if it is confirmed that the pregnancy poses a serious risk to the life of the mother, or if it is established by reliable doctors that continuing the pregnancy would cause significant harm to her health.
Conditions for Permissibility
- The threat to the mother’s life or health must be validated by credible medical professionals.
- The methods used for abortion must align with Islamic principles and should avoid unlawful means.