Question:
Assalaam Alaikum,

I have a question for a friend of mine who is 44 years old, and who just found out that she is 4 weeks pregnant. She suffers with diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea as well. Her Muslim doctor is strongly suggesting that she abort the pregnancy as soon as possible because it is high risk for the baby. She wants to know if it is allowed for her to abort it under the circumstances. Please reply soon.

Jazakallahu Khairan,
 

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, if it is established through medical examination that if the pregnancy is maintained, the baby will be born with severe disabilities, it is permissible to abort the fetus before the passing of 120 days.  This is not permissible after the passing of 120 days.[1]

Hence, if the doctor’s advice to your friend is based on medical examination, it is permissible to abort the fetus. However, if the advice is based on a mere possibility, abortion is not permissible.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

(Mufti) Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman

Checked and Approved by,

My Esteemed Ustadh Mufti Husain Kadodia Saheb Hafidhahullah

Disclaimer:

The Shar’a ruling herein given is based specifically on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question.

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[1]  فتاوي دار العلوم زكريا، ج 6، ص 760-764، زمزم