Can I Terminate a Pregnancy After a Secret Marriage Without Informing My Parents?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I married secretly due to family opposition and am now 13 weeks pregnant. Given my father’s health condition, I cannot inform him yet. Is it permissible to terminate the pregnancy in this situation?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
It will not be permissible to terminate the pregnancy. You have placed yourself in a difficult situation by marrying without parental consent and blessings. However, you will now have to work on gaining their approval for this matter.
The best action now would be to involve a knowledgeable and pious scholar your parents respect, or an elder relative or family member. Most importantly, turn to Allah Most High for guidance, forgiveness, and ease.
In the Hanafi school, a woman’s marriage without her guardian’s (wali) approval is only valid if her partner is deemed a suitable match (kuf’). If he is not suitable, the marriage is invalid, and they would be considered to be living in adultery (zina).
It’s crucial to seek parental approval before marriage, as it may be invalid without it. Furthermore, marrying without the wali’s consent is contrary to the Sunna and can lead to disrespecting one’s parents, which is a serious issue. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
May Allah (Most High) destine what is best for you. Pray two rak‘as of the Prayer of Need, and ask Allah (Most High) to decree what is good (khayr) for you.
Given the considerations in such cases, we urge you to consult reliable local scholars or counselors regarding the specifics of the situation.
Please go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.
Related
- Can we get married without parental involvement?
- Marriage in Secret
- Marriage & Sexual Relations Before Moving in Together (Video Answer)
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
