Is It Permissible to Assist Someone with Scheduling an Abortion?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Today I interviewed for a new job position. I learned from the interviewers that in scheduling appointments for patients, I might have to make appointments for women seeking to abort their pregnancies. They also told me that I might provide customer services for such women. I would not be involved in any clinical aspect of the procedures.
I know Islam allows abortion under certain circumstances. If offered the position, would it be halal for me to take it? I will not be in the position of giving my opinions to anyone who may want to abort, just assisting with the administrative parts of it.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
May Allah grant you a career that would benefit you and your loved ones in this life and the next. Amin.
As you correctly stated, there are certain circumstances under which abortion is permissible.
Please see this link:
Medically Assisted Dying and Abortion
If there is a way that you can avoid the described job function and still work there, then it is permissible for you to do so, but if not, then you should instead seek alternative employment as believers should not assist in sinning. Allah knows best.
General Accountability of Sin
In general, one has no control over the actions of others and will not be held accountable by Allah for their deeds. Allah says: “And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” [Quran, 6:164]
Do Not Assist in Transgression
Allah says, “[…] And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” [Quran, 5:2]
Accountability for Enabling Sin
If our actions knowingly and intentionally enable or facilitate sinning for others, we incur a share of the blame. Allah says: “Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share in the reward, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in the burden. And Allah is Watchful over all things.” [Quran, 4:85]
The Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever starts a good thing and is followed by others, will have his reward and a reward equal to that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their reward in any way. Whoever starts a bad thing and is followed therein will bear his and the follower’s burden (of sin) without detracting from their burden. [Tirmidhi], and Allah knows best.
I pray that this is beneficial.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
