ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Edicts on Family Planning Abortions Rule 1: In Islam, it is forbidden (haram) to abort the fetus and if this is done, it would result in the Diyah [^1] having to be paid. The Diyah is the responsibility of the person who was in charge of carrying out the abortion. If the doctor was to perform it through an operation or by injecting some medication into the woman and through this act of his, the child was aborted, then he is responsible.

If it was the mother herself who ate some pills or was to use something else that the doctor prescribed for her to take, then the mother would be responsible. If the father did not know about this taking place, then the Diyah would have to be paid to him. However if the father knew about it and approved of it, then the Diyah is the responsibility of both the mother and father and the Diyah must be given to the indirect inheritor of that fetus.

Rule 2: If the child was to die while in the womb of the mother, then it is obligatory to remove it from the womb. Rule 3: If the pregnancy is a danger to the life of the mother or would result in her become handicapped, then it is permissible for her to abort the child before the time when the soul has been infused into the body.

However it is not permissible to abort the child once the soul has come into the body and the fetus starts to move (inside the womb) and the mother must carefully watch over and give special attention to the child inside her and must make sure that it is brought into the world at the appropriate time. Rule 4: If the child which has been aborted was four months old or more, then it must be given the Ghusl-e-Mayyit [^2] and must also be provided with a Kafan (burial shroud) and must be buried.

In addition, anyone that touched the body of the child (such as the mother, grand mother, or others who were taking care of the mother) must perform a Ghusl of Mass-e-Mayyit. If the child was less than four months old, then it must be wrapped in cloth, and without giving it a Ghusl, it must be buried. If anyone has touched the body of the child, then it is better that they too perform the Ghusl (of Mass-e-Mayyit).

Islamic Medical Issues Enquiries from the Religious Authorities in Regards to Abortions Question 1: A woman became pregnant one and a half months ago and the doctors have told her that her life is in danger if she remains pregnant and that she will become paralyzed.