Abortion from the Perspective of Islamic Law and Contemporary Social Dynamics: A Literature Review

Abstract

Abortion has emerged as a highly contested issue in contemporary society, frequently debated across religious, ethical, and legal domains. Driven by complex socioeconomic factors, unintended pregnancies, and traumatic circumstances such as sexual violence, the practice continues to challenge traditional normative frameworks while intersecting with modern discourses on reproductive autonomy. This study aims to analyze the conceptualization of abortion within Islamic jurisprudence and evaluate the relevance of Islamic legal principles in addressing contemporary reproductive dilemmas. Employing a qualitative library research design with a normative-descriptive approach, the study systematically examines primary textual sources, classical fiqh literature, contemporary scholarly fatwas, and sociological data. The findings demonstrate that abortion is fundamentally prohibited (ḥarām) in Islamic law, as it directly contravenes the foundational objective of ḥifẓ al-nasl (preservation of lineage) and the sanctity of human life. However, Islamic jurisprudence exhibits remarkable flexibility through the principled application of ḍarūrah (necessity) and maṣlaḥah (public interest), permitting termination under strictly defined circumstances—particularly in medical emergencies or verified cases of rape—provided that rigorous evidentiary and developmental thresholds are met. Ultimately, this research affirms that Islamic law remains profoundly relevant in navigating modern reproductive challenges. By harmonizing classical doctrinal boundaries with contextual socio-medical realities, Islamic legal theory offers a balanced, ethically grounded framework that protects maternal well-being while upholding the spiritual and moral imperatives of human preservation.