What does Islam say about abortion?
Islam values human life. This is clearly expressed in the Holy Qur’an where we are told that in the sight of God killing human being is a very serious matter (see Qur’an 5:32). The Qur’an teaches that on the Day of Judgment parents who killed their will be under trial for that crime, and their children will be witness against them (see Qur’an 81:8-9). People often fear that having more children will make the poor. In reply to that, the Qur’an says: “Do not slay your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for them and for you (Qur’an 17:31).” Even in a case where one is already poor, the Qur’an insists that Allah will provide for sustenance for us and for our children, and furthermore that Allah has made human life sacred (see Qur’an 6:151). The right to life is God given. No human should take away that right. The general rule, therefore, is that abortion is not permitted in Islam. However, Islam is a very practical religion. It includes principles to deal with exceptional cases
