Abortion
QUESTION:
According to the Hanafi Madhab, do the following circumstances cumulatively constitute a valid Shar’i ʿUdhr permitting abortion at approximately 50 days after conception, or would abortion remain impermissible?
There is currently no known serious medical danger to the mother’s life or health, and the existing children are receiving food and their essential care. Our concern is, therefore, the cumulative situation: two very young existing children (only an 8 month interval between childbirth and conception), continued breastfeeding, the mother’s existing difficulty managing two children consistently, essentially all physical childcare and housework falling upon her, her imminent return to work, the father’s physical inability to assist substantially at home, inadequate housing, financial pressure, responsibility toward dependent relatives, and the father’s concern that a third child could significantly worsen the care and supervision of the existing children and the stability of the marriage.
ANSWER:
In the light of Shariah, it is not permissible to abort one’s child merely on the basis of speculation and fear of poverty, particularly when the mother’s health is not in jeopardy as stated in the query.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Quraan Majeed:
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا
(الإسراء 31)
“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin.”
Furthermore, you should bear in mind that every child who comes into this world, comes with his/her own sustenance. As such, granting sustenance is the responsibility of Allah Ta’ala as He clearly says:
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ﴾
(طه 132)
“And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast thereupon. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.”
Moreover, it should be borne in mind that falling pregnant was the decree of Allah Ta’ala and it was through His command and decision that you have fallen pregnant. Reflect over the following verses of the Quraan Majeed:
وعسى أن تكرهوا شيئًا وهو خير لكم وعسى أن تحبوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَم وَأَنتُمْ لَا
تعلمون ( البقرة آ 216)
“Perhaps you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing while it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know.”
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
“Allah does not burden a person beyond his ability.”
Finally, our advice to you is that you should be optimistic rather than pessimistic regarding your pregnancy, as this baby could be a great source of joy, happiness and respect for you in this world, and it could be a means of your entry into Jannah Insha’Allah. Perform two Raka’ah of Salaatul Haajah daily and beseech Allah Ta’ala to make your journey to motherhood easy for you and grant you tolerance, patience, forbearance and divine ability to make good Tarbiyah (upbringing) of your children, for indeed they are an Amaanah (trust) in your hands from the side of Allah Ta’ala.
فإباحة الإسقاط محمولـة علـى العذر أو أنهـا لا تأثـم أثم القتل ، ومـن الأعذار أن ينقطع لبنها بعد ظهور الحمل وليس لأبي الصبي ما يستأجر به الظئر و يخاف هلاكه. (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 3/173)
ولا أقول بأنه يباح الإسقاط مطلقا؛ فإن المحرم إذا كسر بيض الصيد يكون ضامنا؛ لأنه أصل الصيد، فلما كان يؤاخذ بالجزاء ثم فلا أقل من أن يلحقها إثمها هنا إذا أسقطت من غير عذر، وينبغي الاعتماد عليه؛ لأن له أصلا صحيحا يقاس عليه. (البحر الرائق 2/349)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 / 21 August 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb