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Recently, a law has been passed in South Africa giving
women the rights of resorting to the practice of abortion, should they feel
unable to support the child for some "valid" reason like tough economic
circumstances. This they call - "abortion on demand."
By definition, abortion is the termination of pregnancy. It
can be caused by physical injury to the expectant mother or by deliberate human
intervention. Abortion occurring as a result of internal biomedical factors is
commonly known as a miscarriage. This, is not a matter of controversy.
As for the abortion by human intervention, it can and may be
practised in Islam is when it has been ascertained by a pious Muslim doctor that
there is a definite fear of the mother's life being in jeopardy as a result of
the pregnancy.
As you can see, Islam upholds the sanctity of life and
definitely opposed to abortion on demand. There are a number of verses in the
Holy Quran which testify to this. For example, "And kill not your children
for fear of want (poverty): it is We Who shall provide sustenance for them as
well as for you." (17:31) and "Do not take another human being's
life - (the life) which Allah has willed to be sacred - otherwise than in (the
pursuit of) justice." (17:33)
From the general teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah,
it has clearly been established that life, in whatever form, is to be preserved
and not destroyed, except for a valid cause or reason.
Many countries which adopt family planning methods and have
national campaigns to encourage women to limit the number of children in their
families have only one main objective in mind, that is, curbing the human
population so that citizens may live in more extravagance. This results in a
higher standard of living so that the government can use this opportunity of
exploiting the masses. By re-directing funds from wasteful projects to uplift
the socio-economic conditions of the people, the principle of abortion on demand
will be unnecessary.
Muslims should place their faith and trust in Almighty Allah
and His beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and should not resort to
the cruel practise of abortion on demand.It is interesting to note that since
abortions were legalised in the United States in 1973, the number of reported
cases of child abuse has increased from 167 000 in 1973 to 2.5 million 1991.
(U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources).
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