Is a wife obligated to obey her husband in aborting a fetus against her will and under his threat of divorce, especially when there are other children and numerous marital problems?
Oppression is forbidden between spouses and among all people, and it has dire consequences in this world and the Hereafter, as stated in the Quran and . The husband must fear Allah regarding his wife and family, and refrain from insults and threats.
Aborting the fetus after 120 days (when the soul is breathed into it) is unanimously forbidden, because it is the killing of a soul without just cause. As for before 40 days, some scholars have permitted it, while others have not permitted it, and the latter view is stronger due to its contradiction with the command to procreate.
The wife should be patient and benevolent towards her husband. If he swears an oath of divorce for her to abort the fetus, his divorce takes effect if she does not carry out his command, but that is less severe than deliberately taking a life.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 51587
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy