Islam generally teaches that abortion is a serious wrong and is not allowed in most situations, but there are important exceptions and differences of opinion among scholars, especially early in pregnancy and when the mother’s life or health is at risk. All major schools agree that the mother’s life takes priority if continuing the pregnancy will seriously endanger her.

Core principles

Most scholars see the fetus as a protected human life, using Qur’anic verses that forbid killing innocent people and condemn killing children out of fear of poverty. Because of this, abortion is usually described as prohibited and a major sin, especially after later stages of development.

At the same time, Islamic law recognizes “choosing the lesser of two evils,” so many jurists permit abortion when there is serious, well‑established harm to the mother’s life or sometimes to her physical or severe mental health.

Stages of pregnancy (ensoulment)

A key issue is when the soul (ruh) is considered to enter the fetus, often linked to a hadith that mentions 40‑day stages up to 120 days (about 4 months). Many scholars use this to distinguish rulings before and after 120 days.

• After about 120 days: Almost all classical and many contemporary scholars say abortion is forbidden except when the mother’s life is in clear danger.

• Before about 120 days: Opinions vary. Some schools, like many Maliki scholars, discourage or forbid abortion at any time, while some Hanafi and other scholars allow it only for strong reasons (such as serious health threats, certain cases of rape or severe fetal anomaly), and still consider it morally disliked.

Differences between schools

Sunni and Shia jurists share the basic principle of protecting life but differ in details. Many Twelver Shia authorities only permit abortion when the mother’s life is in danger, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Some Sunni schools have narrowly defined allowances before 120 days, but all agree that social reasons alone (like fear of poverty or inconvenience) are not valid grounds.

Because this is an area with nuanced disagreement, Muslims are usually advised to consult a knowledgeable, trustworthy scholar and qualified doctors about their specific situation, especially in complex cases like rape, severe fetal abnormality, or serious mental health risk.

Birth control vs. abortion

Islamic teachings generally distinguish between preventing pregnancy and ending an existing one. Many scholars allow non‑harmful contraception with mutual consent for valid reasons, but say that once pregnancy occurs, the fetus has its own right to life and cannot be ended except under the narrow exceptions mentioned above.