Having an abortion

Q 2: A woman intentionally aborted her baby while she was ignorant of the ruling on doing so. What does she have to do in case such abortion took place before or after the embryo had been fully created?

A: In case that this pregnancy was aborted after the soul had been breathed into it, i.e. after the completion of four months or more, the concerned lady has to make the Kaffarah (expiation). Such a Kaffarah is to free a believing slave or, in case of inability to do so, to observe Sawm (Fast) for two successive months. However, in case that the soul was not breathed into the concerned embryo; the concerned lady is considered a sinner for aborting it but she does not have to make any Kaffarah. She has only to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.