In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful

My wife is pregnant in her 4^th month, and the blood tests showed that the child might be born mentally retarted. What is the Shari`ah ruling on this issue? Is it permissible for her to abort that child? 

 Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful

Praise be to Allah, prayers and peace be upon His Messenger, family members, companions and followers.

The Fiqh Assembly at the Muslim World League (MWL) has discussed that issue in its 12^th conference in Makkah, February 10 – 17, 1990 (Rajab 15 – 22, 1410 AH) and has concluded on this issue, among other resolutions, by the majority balloting of its members, the following:

-         If pregnancy is 120 days long, then it is not permissible to abort the child, even the medical diagnosis proves that the child might be distorted, unless a medical report by authority and professional doctors shows that keeping the child raises a high risk on the mother`s life, then it is permissible to abort it, whether it was distorted or not, that is to avoid the gravest of the two risks.

-         Before 120 days of pregnancy, if it is proved by a medical committee by authority and professional doctors, and based upon technical and laboratory examinations that the child is seriously distorted and could not be cured, and it survived and born on his term, and his life would be bad and painful for it and for his family, then it is permissible to abort it, upon a request from the parents. The Assembly is resolute on this, and advises the doctors and the parents to fear Allah and be sure on that matter. And Allah is the Lord of success and prosperity.