Islam values human
life. This is clearly expressed in the Qur'an where we are told that
in the sight of God killing a human is a very serious matter (see
Qur'an 5:32). The Qur'an teaches that on the Day of Judgement
parents who killed their children will be under trial for that
crime, and their children will be witnesses against them (see Qur'an
81:8-9).
People often fear that having more children will make them poor.
In reply to that, the Qur'an says:
Do not slay your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for
them and for you (Qur'an 17:31).
Even in a case where one is already poor, the Qur'an insists that
Allah will provide sustenance for us and for our children, and
furthermore that Allah has made human life sacred (see Qur'an
6:151).
The right to life is God-given. No human should take away that
right. The general rule, therefore, is that abortion is not
permitted in Islam. However, Islam is a very practical religion. It
includes principles to deal with exceptional cases. One such
principle is that when a pregnancy threatens the life of the mother,
an abortion may be performed. Although the lives of both mother and
child are sacred, in this case it is better to save the principal
life, the life of the mother. Even in this case, it would be better
if the abortion is done before the foetus is 120 days old, for that
is when the soul is breathed into the foetus. Islam does not permit
abortion in other cases.
Women who have been victims of rape or incest naturally deserve
sympathy and help. But a child conceived in this unfortunate manner
still has a right to live. Of course this places an unwanted burden
on the mother, but killing the child is not the right solution. To
understand this point better, suppose someone sees the poorer
sections of society as an unwanted burden on the rich. Would it be
right then to kill off all the poor? Of course not. Why then should
anyone decide that a child should be killed just because they are an
unwanted burden? Society as a whole should help such a mother and
relieve her as far as possible. But the child should not be killed.
Furthermore, the fact that such cases occur is an indication that
people desperately need spiritual food. They need the pure teachings
that will help them turn their minds away from adultery, rape, and
incest. People need God. Can you help someone to turn to God?