What is Abortion??
Abortion:

The term “abort” refers to termination(to stop a program or function) before it has finished naturally.
An abortion is when the pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child. Sometimes this is called ‘termination of pregnancy’.

The pregnancy is removed from the womb, either by taking pills (medical abortion) which involves taking medicines to cause a miscarriage or by surgery (surgical abortion) where the pregnancy is removed from the womb.

Yearly abortion rate:

The data on abortions displayed on the World ometers’ counter is based on the latest statisticson worldwide abortions published by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to WHO,every year in the world there are an estimated 40-50 million abortions. This correspondent approximately 125,000 abortions per day.

In the USA, where nearly half of pregnancies are unintended and four in 10 of these are terminated by abortion , there are over 3,000 abortions per day. Twenty-two percent of all pregnancies in the USA (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion.

Abortion in islam:

The abortion of a fetus is not permissible in islamic Shariah. The person inducing the abortion and the parents permitting it will be sinful. However, there are certain circumstances where Shariah has permitted the abortion of a fetus in which a soul has yet not been infused (a soul is usually infused in the fetus when it reaches 4 months), due to certain reasons and excuses. For example, if a woman has been raped and falls pregnant, it will be permissible for her to abort the fetus before a soul has been induced in it. An unhappy marriage relationship will not be regarded as a valid reason for the permissibility of abortion of a fetus.
Allah Ta’ala says in Quran:
Whosoever has spared the life of a soul, itis as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind.”(Sura Mayida Verse 32)

Hazrat Muhammad (SallÄllÄhu alahi wasalam) has said in a Hadith:
“How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good, and that applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him he thanks (AllÄh TÄ`la) and that is good for him, and if something bad happens to himhe bears it with patience and that is good for him.”(Sahih Muslim,Pg. 325, Vol. 18)
Muslim jurists have deduced that the first four months (120 days) of gestation is the crucial time period. After this the foetus is regarded as being ‘alive’ and an abortion is not permissible for any reason whatsoever; and, should an abortion be done then it would constitute murder. Thus an abortion may be performed within the 120 days period only if there is a valid Sharâee reason. (Family Planning and Abortion, by Qaadhi Mujahidul Islam,published by the IMA of South Africa)

Permissibility of abortion:

In general, abortion is not permissible but within 120 days as stated above; however, it is permissible to abort the child in the following instances:

1. Rape and incest

2. Proven abnormalities, e.g. Anencephaly (no brain), Downs Syndrome, Trisomy, HIV positive, congenital rubella health.

3. If the foetal abnormalities are not proven but speculated, if there is a high risk that a woman may suffer from any of the above factors, then in the opinion of an honest, reliable and an experienced Muslim doctor, abortion may be permissible prior to the four months’ gestation. It must be stressed that these are exceptional circumstances in which an abortion is allowed. Once again, it must be emphasized that the permission granted rests on medical grounds. (Ibid)

4. If there is a high risk of the mother’s permanent mental well-being and if the doctor is certain (Zanne Ghaalib) that the depression, schizophrenia will be permanent and incurable.

5. Abortion before 120 days is not permissible due to spacing of children, financial constraints, young age and unwed mothers.
Allah ta’ala Knows Best.

JazakAllah u khairun my dear akhies and ukhties.