I am a woman with five children, and I have induced a miscarriage on myself several times. Is my action forbidden, and do I owe an expiation?

Question:
She says: I am a woman with five children, and I have induced a miscarriage on myself several times. I later learned that my action was forbidden, and I regret what I did. I am asking if I owe an expiation for that action? And what is the way that saves me from that sin, if I am a sinner? May Allah reward you with good and do you good.

Answer:
There is no doubt that inducing a miscarriage is a sin and involves a sin, but if the fetus had been breathed into with the soul, meaning it had reached four months, then an expiation is obligatory, which is freeing a slave. Whoever cannot do that must fast two consecutive months. As for if the fetus had not been breathed into with the soul, meaning it had not reached four months, but its age was less than that, then there is a sin in it and repentance is obligatory from it, but there is no expiation in it. Yes.