Family & Marriage

Is abortion permissible for a pregnancy that occurred outside of marriage?

Yasir Qadhi December 2, 2025 Watch on YouTube
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Quick Answer

Abortion before 120 days (4 months) is permissible in cases of pregnancy outside of marriage, as the ruh (soul) has not yet been blown in. Beyond four months, it is generally not allowed as one is dealing with a human life.

Full Lecture Transcript (Cleaned)

The Ruling on Abortion Outside of Marriage — 18:50

May Allah protect all of us, but a lady has become pregnant outside of marriage. Is abortion permissible?

Subhan Allah, may Allah protect all of us. The issue is sensitive, and I have given a longer Q&A with Dr. Hatem al-Haj here at EPIC. We have a Q&A about abortion — it is online, you can listen to it. We go into a lot more detail.

Before 120 Days — 19:40

But in a nutshell, in these types of cases where this is outside of marriage — and the question is not clear whether it is forced or whether it is consensual, because there's a slight difference even here, and we won't get into detail right now — but generally speaking, up to four months would not be considered impermissible, even though it's not good to do. But in this particular case, when it's coming outside of a marriage, then if the ruh has not been blown in — which is 120 days, which is four months — the ruh has not been blown in, then it is permissible. Because this is an abnormal case, meaning it's not a marital situation, and if she chooses to do so, up to four months it is permissible.

After 120 Days — 20:06

Beyond four months, the general ruling is that it is not allowed, and exceptions always exist. So if it is beyond four months, you can go to a specific scholar and get more details. But generally speaking, beyond four months would not be allowed, because beyond four months you're dealing with a life. Once the ruh has been blown in, it is a life, and it would not be allowed after that.