Views on Human Life and Abortion From a Muslim’s Perspective

By Sahil, Jay, Omar, Steven, PatrickAnd…Jack

When Does Human Life Begin?

• A key point in the debate rests on the way in which we choose to define the concepts of humanity, life and human life. What does it mean to be alive? What does it mean to be human? Is an embryo alive? Is an embryo a human being?

• Muslims tend to believe that human life begins at conception.

Is Human Life Special?

• Human beings are considered as a special act of creation, with unique gifts and capabilities. According to Islam, human beings were created from a single pair of a male and female, not evolved randomly from apes.

Attitude Towards Abortion

• Muslims attitude towards abortion is that it Is wrong and forbidden though may consider certain circumstances.

• They believe that early abortion can be permitted in some cases though it is still considered wrong.

• The more advanced the pregnancy, the greater the wrong.

Circumstances When Abortion Is Permitted

1. Abortion can be permitted in certain cases such as:

• If continuing the pregnancy would put the mothers life in great danger (only accepted for abortion after 120 days of the pregnancy).

• Some Muslim scholars say that if the foetus suffers from a defect that can’t be treated and will cause the child great suffering, then it is acceptable to abort the pregnancy, before 120 days.

Alternatives to Abortion

• The only other alternative to abortion for Muslims is to have the mother carry on with the pregnancy. Then after the baby’s birth, to give it up for adoption.