توضیح

It is recommended that family planning programs for Muslims be devised by taking into consideration the limits put by Islamic Law. Contraception is allowed, but abortion is more questionable. The Koran mentions 7 stages for the completion of the creation of a human being. At the final stage, the fetus is said to become a human being when the spirit is breathed into it. It is at this stage, at either 120 days (Hanafite interpretation) or 5-6 months (shiaite scholars), that abortion is not allowed. It is concluded that abortion before the breathing of the spirit is allowed in Islam with consent of the husband and the wife; after that it is a crime and forbidden in all cases. Sterilization of the husband or wife is allowed with their consent, provided it does not affect their health.