—corresponding to 17 February 1990 CE—considered this issue. After discussion by the esteemed Council members and by the distinguished specialist physicians who attended for that purpose, it resolved by majority vote as follows:

1 – If the pregnancy has reached one hundred and twenty days, it is not permissible to terminate it, even when medical diagnosis indicates that the fetus is congenitally deformed, unless a report issued by a trustworthy committee of specialist physicians establishes that continuing the pregnancy poses a certain danger to the mother’s life. In that case, termination is permissible—whether or not the fetus is deformed—in order to avert the greater of the two harms.

2 – Before one hundred and twenty days have elapsed, if it is confirmed—by a report from a committee of reliable specialist physicians, based on technical examinations with the appropriate equipment and laboratory tests—that the fetus is severely deformed in an untreatable manner and that, were it to remain and be delivered at term, its life would be miserable and a source of suffering for itself and its family, the pregnancy may be terminated at the parents’ request. In issuing this ruling, the Council urges both physicians and parents to fear Allah and to exercise the utmost diligence in this matter. Allah is the One who grants success.

May abundant blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and his Companions. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

End of Volume Five

Volume Six follows
(Beginning with the Book of Nursing)