Women’s Rights on Abortion from Shi’as and Sunni’s Schools of Thought

Abstract

owadays abortion is a controversial issue all over the world. The Islamic view on abortion is based on a profound rule in Islam. There is a broad acceptance in the major Islamic schools of thought on the permissibility of abortion when there is a serious reason or justifiable excuse for it, such as a threat to the mother’s life, or in other words if her life is in danger. Therefore, a mother should not be made to suffer because of her child. Furthermore, abortion is justified in cases of rape when a woman’s reputation is under threat. In order for an abortion to be carried out, legal permission is of vital importance. This article studies the views of Shi’a and Sunni theologians on grounds for actual legal approval for abortion, its various cases and its consequences. Despite the fact that abortion is strictly forbidden in Islam, abortion is allowed where acceptable excuses, strong reasons and evidence are present.

Keywords

• pregnant women
• abortion
• shitte
• sunni