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The Question Of When Life Starts In Islam
Some contraceptives ( e.g IUDs/ plan b) can work by either preventing ovulation ( the release of the female egg that will be fertilised) or stopping implantation ( the process of the already fertilised zygote/ blastocyst attached to the uterine lining where it will grow into a baby). I have read there is a difference of opinion with regard to such contraceptives that can stop pregnancy by way of stopping implantation. This is because they believe it be similar or closer to abortion. While others who believe pregnancy starts at implantation rather than fertilisation ( the fusion of the egg and sperm) so don’t see it much different to other types of contraceptives that primarily stop fertilisation. Medically, a successful pregnancy will occur when both fertilisation and implantation happen. Infact sometimes an egg is fertilised and fails to implant even normally and simply passes through the female passage in the next menstrual cycle. What would be the ruling regarding such contraceptives? Are these similar or different to ones that primarily stop fertilisation? Pregnancy ( I believe )starts at implantation but when does life start in Islam?
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The Question Of When Life Starts In Islam
updated 1 week, 5 days ago
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All forms of contraception may be adopted, except those that result in permanent infertility. According to the Quran and Hadith, after 120 days of conception the fetus transitions from its initial form to a human being, as the ruh (soul) is bestowed at this stage. Therefore, abortion may be permitted in genuine cases before 120 days. After 120 days, abortion is prohibited unless there is iztirar (a situation of extreme necessity).
For Article of Ghamidi Sahab, please see:
Discussion 58042 • Reply 58116
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Video Response of Ghamidi Sahab:
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Interesting Sir! May I ask what you would define as conception ?, fertilisation alone or fertilisation + implantation. I have read the article u cited, what fascinates me is the verse “We first created man from an essence of clay: then converted it into a drop of fluid at a secure place” .
I know it is imprudent to use science to explain Quranic verses but “drop of fluid at a secure place “ can very well be interpreted as implantation of a blastocyst in the uterine lining or maybe the sperm resting in the uterus before fertilisation. I feel inclined to the former.
Could you please comment on what an essence of clay is referring to? As that would certainly impact my overall understanding.
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It is the date when pregnancy is firmly established. We will rely on the opinion of the doctors in this regard as to when the pregnancy is established.
‘Essence of clay’ refers to the first phase of human creation, when humans were formed from clay-like mud within the earth, similar to the soil found near the shores. The phrase ‘a drop of fluid in a secure place’ refers to the second phase, when human procreation began within the mother’s womb instead.
You can read more about it in the Quranic exegesis Al-Bayan:
https://www.javedahmadghamidi.com/quran?chapter=23¶graph=2&type=Ghamidi
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Moreover with regard to parmanent contraceptive- basically tubal ligation or vasectomy, would that still be the case for a couple who have completed their family. For example a man with 4 children choosing to do vasectomy.
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Ok, thankyou
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Would u say what Hasan Sir is saying is a little different or simply saying the same thing in different words? Asking so to refine my understanding !
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They agree on the principle, but there is a slight difference in its application—specifically, whether having multiple children already constitutes a valid justification for such medical procedures. That was his opinion at the time; I am not sure if Hassan Sahab has since revised it
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I have might have emphasized the benefits of sterilisation from medical perspective to lady already undergoing c-section with her 4th child. Though my exact suggestion was not to go through with it if she was not comfortable ( as that enough should be an absolute contradiction) but I’m worried still whether me stating the benefits might have caused her to take that decision. Her particular situation did make the choice seem reasonable ( 40 year old mother with 4 children under 5/6 years, multiple c-sections and with what became apparent later as having financial issues). May Allah forgive me ,!
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As a doctor, you are in the best position to assess your patient’s health and evaluate the potential consequences of an additional birth on her well-being. You are authorized to make such recommendations by exercising your professional judgment, with the aim of preventing her health from deteriorating severely—or, in the worst case, safeguarding her life. The key point is that such a decision should not rest solely with the patient, as it would with the use of ordinary contraceptives, but rather be guided by medical expertise.
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