Resumen de A muslim perspective on the abortion debate: agreeing to disagree [con un’introduzione di IlhamAllah Chiara Ferrero]
In this comment, I provide a Muslim perspective on abortion. Based on an examination of scriptural sources, and pre-modern and contemporary Islamic legal positions, I demonstrate that Muslim views on abortion span a wide spectrum. Further, I argue that although Islamic legal positions on abortion do not require enshrining abortion as a constitutional right, they suggest the undesirability of legislation criminalizing abortion. Scriptural sources do not directly address abortion. Premodern Muslim jurists hold differing positions on abortion that range from permissibility within 40-120 days following conception to dislike to impermissibility. Contemporary jurists have further expanded the range of legal positions. There is no need for the state to enforce adherence to a single juristic position through legislation. Non-legal considerations, such as racial disparities, further reinforce the desirability of leaving decisions regarding abortion to individuals rather than the state.
