Conception & Abortion from an Islamic Perspective

"Compassion" presidential debate discussing faith and taking questions from the religious community, both Clinton and Obama were asked the question: When does life begins? We at MuslimBridges were surprised that neither candidate was able to answer the question. For the average Muslim, the answer is quite obvious, but we discovered it was not the case for our non-Muslim friends!

In fact, this is such an important question potentially resolving the entire tug-of-wars in this country between the two camps: pro-life vs. pro-choice! Interested to find out?

What is Abortion?

* An abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from a woman's uterus, resulting in or caused by its death. There are two types of abortion: spontaneous which is the natural miscarriage and induced which is the deliberate removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus by medical, surgical, or other means at any point during pregnancy.

* When most people talk about abortion, they mean induced abortion. In this article we refer to induced abortion as abortion.

Islam and Abortion (an Overview):

* Abortion is forbidden in Islam whether in the earlier stages of pregnancy or otherwise.
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The Islamic view is based on the very high priority the faith gives to the sanctity of life. The Quran states: "Whosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind." (Chapter 5, verse 32).
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There are verses in the Quran which are clearly against the killing of any born or unborn child, by any means, for any reason and at any stage of the pregnancy (Chapter 6, verse 151; Chapter 17, verse 31;Chapter 5, verse 31; Chapter 60,verse 12). Muslim women are described in the Quran (amongst other things) as those who "do not kill their children." (Chapter 60, verse 12)
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All schools of Muslim law accept that abortion is permitted if continuing the pregnancy would put the mother's life in real dangerous. This is the only reason accepted for abortion after 120 days of the pregnancy.
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Different schools of Muslim jurists hold different views on whether any other reasons of abortion are permitted (e.g. in the case of rape or incest) and at what stage of pregnancy if so.
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Regarding the question as to when life begins, the prevailing Muslim opinion is at 120 days from conception. This is the time the soul enters the body of the unborn child.
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All Muslim scholars believe that an embryo deserves respect and protection at all stages of the pregnancy. In fact, dead unborn babies are afforded proper Islamic burials after 120 days from initial conception.
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Islam is strongly pro-life and Muslims should work closely with Pro-life organizations - Christians and others here in the US -, in order to stop the daily killing of innocent unborn babies.

By: MuslimBridges Staff Writers