Abortion is when a foetus leaves the mother’s uturus and dies before it is ready to be born. When done naturally this is called a miscarriage. But when talking of abortion usually people mean that they want to end a pregnancy by their own choice.
There are many reasons for abortion. Sometimes it is because of financial difficulties, the baby may be deformed or in serious sickness or they may just not be ready for a pregnancy.
"Do not kill or take human life which God has declared to be sacred." (Chapter 6 verse 151)
"Do not kill your children for fear of poverty: it is We who shall provide sustenance for them as well as you. Killing them is certainly a great sin." (Chapter 17 verse 31)
Even before a hundred and twenty days it is not usually allowed to terminate the pregnancy although there are some circumstances in which it can be done, these include:
- Interference with mentally retarded
Under any other circumstance abortion for Muslims is not allowed. As you can see the first hundred and twenty days are when the mother has more priority and the mother can have an abortion under the certain consequences shown above. After the hundred and twenty days how ever there is no possibility of having an abortion.
Contraception
Contraception is when a pregnancy is stopped before the zygote is created i.e. the sperm is not allowed to reach the egg.
Contraception is permissible in only some circumstances. Other situations are not allowed. Only certain types of contraception are allowed in certain situations.
Although, Hadhrat Abu Saéed Khudhry (RA) reports that one person asked Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) about Azal (Coitus Interruptus). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) replied, ‘When Allah Taãla intends creating a child, nothing can stop him.’ (Mishkãt pg. 275; Qadeemi)
Reversible contraception can be used for the following reasons:
- The wife maintaining her beauty for the sake of the husband
- A couple being in a distant land
- Adverse political conditions, e.g. children are forcibly separated from
their parents as is advocated by communism; etc.
- The couple are to separate in the near future
- The wife is an immoral person
Permanent contraception is only allowed if te woman’s life is in danger or her health is seriously threatened.
These have been valid reasons for contraception although poverty is not a valid reason to use it.
The difference between suicide and euthanasia
Suicide refers to when someone deliberately ends their own life. Also called ‘self – murder’ it usually due to that they are depressed or suffering from other mental illnesses. Although this is recognised today in the pas it was treated as a crime and those who tried to commit it were severely punished. Religious views on this topic are almost the same for all of the main world religions.
Euthanasia means ‘good death.’ It refers to when a person is helped to die quicker than they would have normally. The main difference between euthanasia and suicide is that euthanasia is done while being helped by another person as they may be too disabled or ill.
There are a number of reasons for people wanting to commit euthanasia. The most common being that they are so sick that eventually they may not be able to do anything and thus think that they are losing all their dignity and independence.
If someone asks for euthanasia then it is known as voluntary euthanasia. When not asked it is called involuntary euthanasia. This happens when someone else thinks that the quality of life is so bad that they would be better off if they were dead.
When a person is helped to die it is called active euthanasia. It is against the law. Passive euthanasia is not against the law. This is when they are not given the medication or operation that may allow them to stay alive a little while longer.
Some people thing that it euthanasia should be allowed as it is cruel to let someone live when they are in so much pain and that it should be legal for those who wnt it.
Muslims views on Suicide and Euthanasia
As shown previously Muslims believe that life is a gift from God. They believe that we were sent to this world to be tested and thus no matter what calamities befall us, people should stay strong and continue worshipping him. Thus suicide is not allowed in any circumstance..
In the Quraan it says:
"Verily we will test you with fear, hunger, and by decrease in wealth, lives and fruits (crops). Glad tidings for the patient ones who (at the time of adversities) say, "Verily we belong to Allah and to Him we return."
(Baqarah 155 - 156).
Muslims also believe that they should stand firm as there will be reward in Jannah (heaven), in the life after death.
"Verily with every difficulty there is relief."
(Nashrah 6 - 7)
If in difficulty Muslims should remember that they have brought to this world to tested and that they should stand fast and not commit suicide as it is a great sin.
If a person doe commit suicide the they must remember that in the next life they shall be punished for their crime by continually acting it out again and again. For instance. If a person stabbed himself in the hereafter they will continually be stabbed.
Active euthanasia should never be committed and has the same punishment. Passive euthanasia can be committed as medication is not necessarily natural.
What is animal Experimentation
For a long time animals have been used in experiments such as cosmetics, cleaning products, food additives etc. Some people believe in animal rights where animals should not have to go have things tested on them. This has led to many animal rights activists and many groups.
At present there are strict rules in the Government which state how animals should be treared and that different companies have to share their results in order to lower the number of animals used in experimentation.
Animal research is very important in medical research as many experiments and apparatus are used on animals before on humans. This means that animals may lose their lives instead of people. This is better some scientists say. Without testing on animals we may not have the many medicines that have saved many lives right now . Some things that animals have been used include:
- The development of employs
- The understanding of diabetes
- The discovery of vitamins.
And many other discoveries have been helped by animal research.
Muslims believe that animal and human being belong to Allah:
Islam teaches animal equality, they should be treated with respect as they are one of Allah creatures. The holy prophet Mohammed said,
"A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being"
Hadith : Mishkat,
There is a story told that happened in the prophet’s time:
"While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well, and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine.' So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.'' The people asked ``O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?'' He replied: ``Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate (living being).''
Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah created humans and animals. Humans were meant to be above animals although humans are to treat animals with respect as they are part of their livelihoods and are eaten to keep humans alive. Animals as well as humans have soul and in the herafter(judgement da day or Yaum –ul –Hisaab) there will be punishment on to those who were cruel to animals and a reward to those who helped or were kind to animals in any way.
In the Qur'an it says
"Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises are celebrated by all beings in the heavens and on earth, and by the birds with extended wings? Each one knows its prayer and psalm, And Allah is aware of what they do.''
Surah 22 Ayah18
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