Islamic Perspective on Abortion
In response to
Chapter Two of Islamic Ethics of Life, The Problem of Abortion in Classic Sunni Fiqh
PRO-LIFE! PRO-CHOICE! You’ve heard
the chants; you’ve seen the signs. There is no doubt that abortion is an
emotionally charged topic in North America. Many people, specifically from the
Christian faiths, clamor for universal rules regarding the relationship of
fetus, life, and child and rights of the mother and/or father. Many believe in
life at conception, whereas others believe that there is a point in time where
the fetus becomes a child – human – a life to be protected by law.
Unfortunately, because of the idea that there can somehow be a universal truth
to settle this debate is exactly what has likely made it irreconcilable.
This debate also occurs in Islam,
but perhaps to a lesser degree, as the focus is often more law based and less
moral. The arguments are very formal and based on the Qur’an and hadith and fiqh.
Somewhat like the debate in the West, the argument is typically more about
determining at which point the fetus becomes more – someone, rather than
something. Along with this argument are the social punishments for accidental
or intentional loss of a child – it is not as much a moral argument as it is in
Christianity, until we reach the realm of Sufism, the mystical aspect of Islam.
Sufism is more interested in
individual growth, which is a subjective matter, than sociological growth
within the community of Islam. It is here that we find more of the moral
outlook of ending a pregnancy, and as it is individualistic, it is subjective,
and naturally, casuistic. The casuistic nature of some issues, like abortion,
is not just of Sufism, but also naturally part of Islam, as intention means a
great deal. Sometimes in this life, there are not the universal truths we hope
for, rather, there always seems to be an “exception to the rule”. I think perhaps
if the debate in North America could focus on intentions and allow for the
single case evaluations, there would be less yelling across the fences.
Written for my Modern Muslim Thought class in March 2012
RELATED ARTICLES:
Dancing Sufis for abortion
PRO-LIFE! PRO-CHOICE! You’ve heard
the chants; you’ve seen the signs. There is no doubt that abortion is an
emotionally charged topic in North America. Many people, specifically from the
Christian faiths, clamor for universal rules regarding the relationship of
fetus, life, and child and rights of the mother and/or father. Many believe in
life at conception, whereas others believe that there is a point in time where
the fetus becomes a child – human – a life to be protected by law.
Unfortunately, because of the idea that there can somehow be a universal truth
to settle this debate is exactly what has likely made it irreconcilable. 
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