Ruling on Abortion Due to Abuse and Its Expiation
Authored by: Saudi Fatwa Committee (Lajnah al-Dā'imah)
❖ Question:
I was married to a former husband who was very ill-mannered. He used to abuse drugs and treated me very harshly. I gave birth to one daughter from him. Then I became pregnant again, and during this pregnancy, our conflicts intensified. One day he came to me and struck me in the abdomen, causing bleeding. At that time, I was in the sixth month of my pregnancy. Given that I was enduring his mistreatment because of the pregnancy, I took some Arabic and English medications for abortion. About fifteen days later, the fetus was aborted in the sixth month. When it was aborted, it was alive, then passed away. What is the Islamic ruling on this? Jazakum Allahu khayran.
❖ Answer:
① Firstly:
Undoubtedly, your action is an evil deed and disobedience to Allah.
Abortion is not permissible, even if your husband mistreated you. Therefore, you must:
- Repent sincerely to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)
- Feel regret over what you have done
- Resolve never to repeat such an act again
② Secondly:
You must repent for this sin, as even becoming a cause of abortion is impermissible.
In such a case, abortion is considered a major sin (كبيرة).
Hence, you are liable to pay:
- Diyah (blood money), and
- Expiation (kaffārah):
- Freeing a slave, and if that is not possible,
- Then fasting two consecutive months
Wa bi-llāhi al-tawfīq (And success is from Allah).
