Oh, baby.
As I write this, Mo and I are still arguing about today’s topic.
We were casually discussing a number of things a few days ago, when we came upon the subject of our newly pregnant friends. Selim and Asma, both of whom are Muslims and graduate students, are married, but are not ready to take on the responsibility of a baby. This surprise has them considering, to my extreme disappointment, an abortion.
Although I support abortion when it comes to rape, I am against it in almost all other cases. I believe that adults understand the consequences of sex and that they should make any sacrifice necessary to deal with a pregnancy, whether expected or not. Mo, however, sees things from a completely different perspective. Circumstance plays heavily on his views, as well as the parents’ ability to give their child the best life possible.
While I already knew that abortion was haram, or prohibited, in Islam, I needed to find out more about the details. What I found online was limited and confusing, which means I will have to do a lot more research. Here is what I have discovered so far:
- Islam prohibits abortion at ANY stage of a pregnancy
- Islam permits abortion if the mother’s life is at risk because the mother is a pillar of the family, can give birth again, and already has responsibilities to fulfill, whereas the baby still does not have any duties or responsibilities
- Islam permits abortion within the first 40 days of conception
- Islam prohibits abortion even when rape is involved, unless the mother cannot mentally cope with the situation and believes this will effect the baby negatively. Mothers who do give birth to these babies and raise them receive additional blessings/rewards from Allah for their struggles and compassion.
- Abortions at various stages of pregnancy are considered to be different grades of sin, each with varying consequences
Apart from arguing about when abortion is a valid option, Mo and I argue about how we define a baby. I believe that from the moment of conception there is a being that is beginning to form, something that will have a soul at some point. Mo believes that until that being performs the seven functions of a living thing according to science, it is not a living thing and can be aborted.
While I understand that different situations are treated differently by all types of people, I just cannot help but be saddened by the varying definitions people have of when a baby becomes a baby and when it is appropriate to abort a baby. This is a difficult topic to discuss, but it is also a topic that I think will never be viewed the same by everyone. As for Selim and Asma, I only hope that what they do is best for themselves and their unborn child, and that they can live with the outcomes of that decision.
Wow this is controversial, no lie there! My two cents, timidly offered: with things like this I always feel like people have to make the decisions that are right for them. These are never simple decisions, there are always numerous people involved and numerous considerations, and religion and morality is always a part of it — but in the end I think that whatever the pregnant person decides is the right thing, and for my part I try to stand by my relatives and friends when they are going through something tough, so that means (has meant, in the past) that I stand by my relative’s or friend’s decision to end a pregnancy, even though that’s often a very sad thing.
I’ve associated with people on all sides of this topic. There is almost no way to change anyone’s mind regardless of what view they hold. People have different definitions on when life begins which leads them to vastly different conclusions about whether or not the decision to abort is justified.
That is confusing information! It all contradicts each other…
I know. I haven’t been able to find one source that gives me a full answer. I will be doing some more research this weekend, so hopefully I will find more information.
this is a tough topic and i think if a couple is blessed with having a baby yet they are unable to fully take on the financial, mental, or if the woman was raped aspects of it, then they gotta do whats best for them. if the baby wasnt planned and/or unwanted and then it is born and grows up in a messed up environment and turns out to be weird then wouldnt it have been better to abort it? or maybe even adopt it? hmmm tough topic.
It is a tough decision… and as Amy said, everyone does what is best for them. While I think that it is sad, I find it hard to justify 100% for either side.
This is a very difficult subject to agree upon because there is no right or wrong answer. Abortion will always be in the gray area, no definitive black and white.