Should I Abort My Illegitimate Child if the Baby’s Father Has Run Away?
Question:
I am a 23-year-old girl and have been intimate with a man who has been Muslim for two years. I have found out I am pregnant. Once I told him this, he messaged me, “On the Holy Quran I am never having any children with you. I will never be there for you, and the child will never know me.” I really want to keep this baby, but my child will never have a father or family as I will lose them too. What do I do? Will Allah forgive me if I have an abortion?
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum,
Thank you for your question. I am so terribly sorry for the pain that you are going through and for finding out that the baby’s father is a flake. The absolute best answer that I can give you is here, please read it fully:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/pregnant-zina-not-want-abortion-want-repent/
Abortion
If a woman wants to abort because the child would be illegitimate, and she would not have support, it would not be a valid reason to abort. Please see the details here:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/when-is-having-an-abortion-permitted/
Involve Your Parents
This is a very, very sensitive topic, and your circumstances are very challenging. Despite this, you should communicate the problem to your parents. You absolutely cannot go through this alone. A pregnancy requires all kinds of support and help, and when they get past the shock and emotion, they will actually think things through with you, by the grace of Allah, and help you.
Allah’s Mercy
Allah is Merciful and forgives all sins, place your trust in Him and repent sincerely. See the details here:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/living-religion/sincere-repentance-zina/
Please supplicate to Allah to help you navigate this difficult time and apply the tips given above at the link. May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
