Can a Pregnant Woman Abort a Baby with Defects or Developmental Issues?
Question: A sister has a question: She is five months pregnant, the baby’s development is not proper, and she sometimes experiences bleeding. The doctors say that if the baby’s heartbeat develops, it will be fine; otherwise, the baby will be aborted. Can the baby be aborted if it is not developing properly? And in such a case, should she perform Ghusl (ritual bath) before praying, or is Wudu (ablution) sufficient for prayer?
Answer: A baby in the mother’s womb should not be aborted based on a doctor’s statement that the baby has some defects or is not developing properly. This is because their statement is based on speculation and estimation, while the certain and correct knowledge about the baby is with Allah. Therefore, such statements by doctors should not be trusted, and the pregnancy should not be terminated. Sorrow and distress are part of life; a person experiences both joy and sorrow while alive. Is it permissible to kill a distressed person or a mentally ill and disabled person because they are in pain? No, absolutely not. The same applies to the baby in the mother’s womb. Allah will bring the baby into the world in whatever condition He wills. If the baby dies in the mother’s womb, it will be removed through surgery, or if the mother’s life is in danger due to the baby, then abortion is permissible. Otherwise, it is not permissible to abort a living baby without a valid reason based on assumptions.
Since we have established that the pregnancy cannot be terminated in the mentioned situation, there is no question of performing Ghusl or Wudu for prayer.
✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (May Allah protect him)
❪Jeddah Dawah Center – Al-Salama – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia❫