A woman who was pregnant in the second month or less and deliberately aborted the pregnancy out of aversion to pregnancy, but who later regretted her action intensely and repented to

The questioner : She was pregnant in the second month or less and deliberately aborted the pregnancy out of aversion to pregnancy—she says—but she regretted her action intensely and repented to Allah. She says, “I hope my Lord will forgive me for my sin.” After that, she gave birth to children. Is there an expiation for this? And what is required of her now?

The Shaykh : There is no expiation for her because the fetus had not been formed and the soul had not been breathed into it, so there is no expiation for her. However, it is regrettable that she aborted the pregnancy, meaning the fetus, out of aversion to pregnancy. Why does she dislike pregnancy? Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: This indicates that he (peace and blessings be upon him) desires an increase in children, and that is indeed the case. When the community increases, its strength and prestige among nations increase, and it becomes self-sufficient without needing others. So why do we shun having many children? If it were not for ignorance, we would not go to various extremes in order to reduce pregnancy. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you. She says, “O honorable Shaykh.”