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Fatwa CenterUnwanted Pregnancy
Question
We didn't want to have more babies, and we wanted to prevent it, but suddenly my wife saw that she is pregnant for one month. The question is: Can we abort the baby?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Dear brother, as we all know, the offspring are a precious gift from Almighty Allah. He blesses His servants by providing them lovely children. Allah Says (what means):
• {And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then in falsehood do they believe and in the favor of Allah they disbelieve?} [Quran 16:72]
• {To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what he wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males. Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.} [Quran 42:49-50]
The offspring are a valuable grace of Allah. How many people wish to have a child, even if one spends all his belongings. While Almighty Allah has blessed you and chosen you to grant you offspring; yet, you are refusing His Gift. Are you satisfied with the children you have? Or you fear to nourish them? Are you responsible for their nourishment? Allah Says (what means): {And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.} [Quran 17:31]
Thereupon, preventing pregnancy is not permitted according to the Sharee‘ah except in rare cases. Among them are the following: (1) mother’s illness (2) serious exhaustion due to delivery time and again, and any other genuine medical reason.
This is also permitted only to protect the life of the mother. It is not allowed for other reasons, like fearing from expenditure or disliking offspring after having a certain number of children. If pregnancy is proven, abortion becomes forbidden no matter in which stage it is, except for any legal reason. If reliable doctors declare that the pregnancy is dangerous for the life of the mother, then it may be permitted. However, abortion to maintain a good life, or fearing of expenses of life, or supposing that a little number of children are enough, then it is not only forbidden but also a big sin.
We ask Allah to bless you and grant you righteous children who will be a delight to your eyes in this life and in the Hereafter, Allah willing.
For more benefit on family planning, please refer to 99184, 97251, 84436, 82154 and 87155.
For more benefit on permanent birth control, please refer to Fatawa 119261, 83837, 134895, 87304, 87155, 89857 and 84086.
Allah knows best.
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