Question:
If medical tests show serious defects in the unborn child, is abortion allowed?
Is there a specific Islamic guideline (especially regarding 120 days)?
Answer:
Modern medicine can detect severe abnormalities in the womb.
If doctors say:
- Child will be severely disabled,
- No brain development,
- Will die shortly after birth,
- Organs missing,
Can abortion be done?
General Rule is After 120 days (4 months), the ruh (soul) is breathed into the fetus.
Before 120 days:
- Abortion is sinful but not considered killing a human being.
After 120 days: - It is killing a human soul.
That is the general ruling.
But there is the Concept of Necessity in Islam (Darurah)
Islam allows prohibited things in necessity.
Example: Eating forbidden food is permissible if no food is available. Necessity differs from person to person. Some can endure hardship. Some cannot.
So, if parents genuinely believe: “We cannot bear this suffering.” They may decide.
If they feel they can endure and raise the child for reward from Allahﷻ, they may continue.
There is no uniform ruling here. Legally, killing after 120 days is forbidden.
But necessity is assessed by the parents themselves. They must weigh:
- Emotional ability
- Physical ability
- Long-term suffering
This is not a matter for casual fatwa shopping. Parents must sincerely assess before Allahﷻ.
Some claim that the fetus becomes fully human at 40 days.
How does this reconcile with hadith about 120 days and Qur’anic verses about 30 months (pregnancy + breastfeeding)?