Aborting fetus with lethal gene

5-12-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

My wife and I recently had two children who died right after birth due to a rare lethal recessive gene disorder. There is no cure and no chance for survival. If we were able to test for this gene while still inside the womb, would it be Halal to abort the pregnancy if the fetus had the lethal gene?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Abortion can be in two states. Each one has a special ruling.
The first state: having an abortion after the soul is breathed into the fetus. Abortion in such a case, without a bit of difference among scholars of Islam, is completely Haram except in the following two situations:
1) If the pregnancy, according to reliable doctors of medicine, will cause certain harm to the mother.
2) If the fetus, according to reliable doctors, died in the mother's womb.
So, it becomes clear that scholars of Islam do not legalize abortion due to deformation or serious sickness that prevents the fetus to live. Such an action (abortion) will be considered a form of killing the soul which Allah has forbidden. Allah forbid!

The second state: having an abortion before the soul is breathed into the fetus. Here are also two situations:
1) According to the majority of Muslim scholars, it is forbidden to induce an abortion during the first forty days of the fetus' life. Some scholars legalize such an action. But, the first opinion is the preponderant one, since this action constitutes a form of wiping out progeny.
2) Scholars of Islam differ greatly in case of inducing an abortion after the forty days of the fetus' life, some legalize abortion after such a period.
In addition, in the second state, i.e. before entrance of the soul, some scholars legalize abortion, if reliable doctors have decided that the fetus will be clearly born deformed, infirm, or will die after delivery.
However, it is better and more proper to leave such a matter to Allah and be pleased with His Acts and Destiny (Qadaa). Then, you will be much rewarded.
Allah knows best.