What is the Islamic ruling on abortion?

After the soul is breathed into the foetus — at 120 days from conception, as in the ḥadīth of Ibn Masʿūd on the stages of creation (nuṭfah, then ʿalaqah, then muḍghah, then the soul) — abortion is unlawful and is treated as taking a life, permitted only when continuing the pregnancy would kill the mother. Before 120 days there is legitimate ikhtilāf: some scholars permit it only for a valid necessity such as a confirmed grave defect or serious medical harm, while the strictest position forbids it once implantation is established except for genuine necessity. Abortion merely to avoid provision or from shame is ḥarām, for Allah says, "Do not kill your children out of fear of poverty" (Quran 17:31). One should consult trustworthy scholars for the specific case rather than act on doubt.

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