Islam & Abortion (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
Written by: Angela Yates
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Islam: The Nature of Abortion
The Nature of Abortion
Abortion is the deliberate ending of a pregnancy by removing a foetus through surgical or medical means
In the UK abortion has been legal since the 1967 Abortion Act, providing certain conditions are met. These were amended in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 1990
Currently UK law permits abortions in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, provided that two doctors agree and one of these conditions applies
The unborn child may be severely disabled
The mother’s physical or mental health is at risk
Any existing children would be at risk
Muslim Teachings on Abortion & the Value & Sanctity of Life
Muslim teachings about the sanctity of life apply to the topic of abortion
Many Muslims do not agree with abortion because they believe that all life is sacred and is a gift from Allah, and this would include the unborn child
They would support this by saying that the Qur’an teaches that Allah has a plan for every person, and it is not for humans to interfere with this
‘It is He [Allah] who gives death and life’ (Surah 53:44)
Muslims believe in the concept of ensoulment. This is the point 120 days after conception when the soul enters the body
This is explained in the Hadith
‘Allah's Apostle, the true and truly inspired said, “Every one of you is collected in the womb of his mother for the first forty days, and then he becomes a clot for another forty days, and then a piece of flesh for forty days. Then Allah sends an angel to write four words: He writes his deeds, time of his death, means of his livelihood, and whether he will be wretched or blessed (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into his body.”’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 55:549)
Because of this teaching, Sunni Muslims would forbid abortion after this point to preserve the sanctity of life
In certain circumstances, Muslims might allow an abortion to happen before ensoulment
For example, if the mother’s health is at risk during the pregnancy, her life is more important than her unborn child and so abortion would be acceptable
Some Muslims would also agree with abortion if a couple expecting a child had a change of circumstances which would make it difficult for them to raise the child
This is because of the teaching in the Qur’an that ‘God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear’ (Surah 2:286)
However, the Qur’an also teaches that the couple should not have an abortion because of financial issues
Instead, they should continue with the pregnancy and trust that Allah will provide what they need
‘Do not kill your children for fear of poverty – we shall provide for them and for you – killing them is a great sin’ (Surah 17:31)
Muslim Responses to Non-religious Arguments About Abortion
Abortion is a controversial issue
Non-religious people such as atheists and humanists might say that the rights of the mother are more important than the rights of the unborn child, and that the mother should choose what happens since it is her body. These views are known as pro-choice
The British Humanist Association has issued a pro-choice statement about abortion, saying
‘Most humanists would probably put the interests of the woman first, since she would have to complete the pregnancy and likely care for the baby, whose happiness would largely depend on hers.’ (British Humanist Association)
Religious people who believe in the sanctity of life are more likely to take a pro-life stance, because they believe that the unborn child is a creation of God and has a right to life
Non-religious Arguments about Abortion and Muslim Responses
Non-religious Arguments About Abortion | Muslim Responses |
|---|---|
Abortion is a personal decision; it is the woman’s right to choose what happens as it’s her body (Pro-choice) | Abortion is wrong as all life is sacred and is a gift from Allah; only Allah should decide when life begins and ends (Pro-life) |
Some parents can’t afford or aren’t ready to have a child so shouldn’t be forced to proceed with a pregnancy (Pro-choice) | The Qur’an teaches that people should not kill their children for fear of poverty. The child’s right to life is more important; Allah will provide what they need (Pro-life) |
The parent’s situation should be taken into account: there are lots of factors that might justify termination of the pregnancy (Pro-choice) | Some Muslims will say that there are times when abortion may be justified, for example if the mother’s life is at risk or she has been subjected to rape The Qur’an teaches that God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear However, there are often other alternatives open to the mother, such as adoption (Pro-life) |
Abortion is wrong only if the foetus could survive outside the womb at about 23 weeks, before that it is acceptable as the embryo would not survive and therefore is not alive (Pro-choice) | Every embryo is a creation of God and therefore has a right to life (Pro-life)
Some Muslims would accept abortion in certain circumstances before ensoulment at 120 days |
Abortion is acceptable if the child will be severely mentally or physically disabled (Pro-choice) | Allah has a plan for every life. Disabilities do not mean the baby will not be able to live a full and good life (Pro-life) |
Abortion is acceptable if the mother’s life is at risk from proceeding with the pregnancy | This is acceptable as a reason for abortion because the mother’s life is sacred (Pro-life) |
Islam: Ethical Theories & Abortion
Situation ethics is the ethical theory that seeks the most loving action in the circumstances
In the case of abortion, there is much to consider when thinking about what the most loving action would be
If the mother’s life is at risk, if her mental and/or physical health would be greatly affected by giving birth, if she has been raped, if she feels incapable of giving the baby a good life, what is the most loving thing to do for her?
If the child is likely to be physically or mentally disabled, or if it will be born into poverty, what is the most loving thing to do for the baby?
In these difficult situations, perhaps the most loving act towards both the mother and the unborn child would be to allow an abortion
Many Muslims would uphold teachings about the sanctity of life and would say that only Allah can decide when life begins or ends
They would say that even though abortion is legal in the UK, that does not make it acceptable. Their faith is in conflict with the law which is a challenge to them to stand firm in their faith
Other Muslims would say that Allah is merciful and would not punish someone who took the life of a foetus in order to save the life of a mother
Worked Example
Outline three Muslim teachings about abortion
(3 marks)
Answer:
Muslims believe that abortion is wrong because they believe in the sanctity of life, that all life is created by Allah (1 mark)
Muslims would say abortion is wrong because of teachings in the Qur’an that say that life is holy and that only Allah can take it (1 mark)
Some Muslims would say that abortion is acceptable before 120 days because this is the moment of ensoulment, when the soul enters the body, and so after this time it would be taking a life (1 mark)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Abortion is a controversial issue, and you may be asked to evaluate a statement such as ‘For a Muslim allowing an abortion may be the most compassionate response.’
Make sure you can outline the divergent Muslim arguments about abortion and how Muslims would respond to non-religious arguments.
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