Q: My sister was 6 months pregnant when a scan showed the baby was not growing well. The doctor said this is a case that the baby will not grow properly. The baby has no lungs and is just alive on the mothers breath. The doctor said if you wait for normal delivery there will be some risks in the delivery and also to the mother's health. The doctor advised to terminate the baby. And we accepted the advice. The baby was delivered and in a few hours died. Sometimes I feel it was not the right thing we done. Maybe if she delivered on her own time then the baby would be alive.
What is the Islamic ruling? Was what we done a serious sin? If yes, is there a chance of Allah's forgiveness?
A: Aborting the baby after four months is haraam and is tantamount to killing one's child.
The Fuqahaa explain that after four months of pregnancy, the soul is blown into the child. Hence, terminating the pregnancy after four months is an extremely heinous and major crime.
How can one terminate the life of an innocent child due to fear that the mother's life may be in danger? In Islam, it is not permissible to kill one person in order to save the life of another person.
You and your husband should sincerely repent to Allah Ta‘ala for committing this major sin and beg Him to forgive you.
You both should make a firm pledge to Allah Ta‘ala that you will never repeat this sin in the future.
Also give some wealth in charity as an atonement for this major sin.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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