Early Life - Islam

Islamic views about abortion

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  • Created by: KyahG
  • Created on: 14-03-14 14:26

Early Life - Islam

Advantages

  • Pro-Choice:
  • Some Muslims believe that there is potential life from the moment of conception but human life really starts at ensoulment - 120th day. - "Then the soul is breathed into his body."
  • All Muslims would agree that abortion is wrong but some belive it is a last resort that may be used in certain situations.
  • Many Muslims state that the mothers life takes precedence over the foetus.
  • Abortion is practised up until ensoulment. If done after 120 days it is haram as mother and child have equal rights after ensoulment.
  • The Qur'an reminds mothers that their infants will demand to know why they were aborted on the Day of Judgment.
  • Blood ties are important in Islam - so if a couple raise a child that is not their own, they do not adopt it. The child remains a member of the original family.

Disadvantages

  • Pro-Life:
  • All life is a gift from Allah and children are a gift too. - "It is Allah who gives you life and gives you death."
  • Once a life has been created no one has the right to take that away - "Whoever severs the womb...I will severe my ties with them."
  • All life is sacred - Tawhid. Everything belongs to Allah and a Muslims body is on loan from Allah.
  • All decisions and actions are taken into account on Judgement Day. Thier actions will affect Akhirah - the afterlife.
  • Some Muslims say that aborting because of disability is never allowed as these hardships are all part of lifes test. - "Whoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people." - "Whoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind."
  • All Muslims must submit to Allahs will and they must raise children if that is a part of his will too. Abortion for economic reason is strictly haram. - "Do not kill your children for fear of want...killing them is a great sin."

Evaluation

Muslims share different views on abortion and many Muslims disagree on whether abortion is okay. One of the main teachings is that the soul is breathed into the baby on the 120th day meaning that until that point, the foetus is not an actual human. The Qur'an is interpreted in different ways meaning that there is not one solid answer.   

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