Is it permissible to perform a compulsory cesarean section to save a fetus in imminent danger, by agreement of the doctors, knowing that the risks of a cesarean section are very low?
It is impermissible to perform surgery on a patient except with their permission, save for two cases: if the patient is threatened with death or organ damage, or if the disease is epidemic and there is fear of its spread. As for the case of the fetus, if it is highly probable that it will be exposed to danger by not performing the surgery, and it is highly probable that the mother will be safe by performing it, then it is permissible to perform the surgery without the mother's permission. This is to avert the greater of two harms by committing the lesser.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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