What is to be done, and what is the expiation for aborting a pregnancy after one and a half months, accompanied by intense feelings of remorse?
The default ruling is the prohibition of abortion at all stages unless there is a legitimate Sharia justification. Thus, it is permissible to abort a fetus if its age is less than forty days for a legitimate interest or to avert an anticipated harm to the mother. It is not permissible after forty days unless a reliable medical committee determines that its continuation poses a threat to the mother's life. As for expiation (kaffara), it is only obligatory for aborting a fetus into which the soul has been breathed, i.e., after one hundred and twenty days. If the aborted fetus's age is less than that, the mother incurs sin and must repent and seek forgiveness, without expiation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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