Is it permissible for a woman, if she has committed adultery, to abort the fetus?
Jurists focused on the ruling concerning abortion in general and did not concern themselves with the specifics of a pregnancy resulting from unlawful sexual intercourse, considering it to fall under the ruling for a natural pregnancy. Abortion of a pregnancy resulting from unlawful sexual intercourse is more strictly prohibited because it encourages indecency. It is impermissible to sacrifice an innocent fetus due to the sin of another, for Allah Almighty says: (And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, delayed the execution of the hadd punishment on the Ghamidiyyah woman, who committed adultery, until she gave birth and breastfed her child. This indicates the Sharia's concern for the life of the fetus, even if it resulted from adultery. Dispensations are not linked to sins; therefore, it is impermissible to license abortion for a woman pregnant from adultery. A fetus resulting from adultery loses the guardianship of its parents, and its guardian is the guardian of the Muslim community, who has no interest in taking its life.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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