Q: My wife is three months pregnant. After several tests, the doctor came to know that the fetus is not fully developed. After the birth, it will not live more than five years, are we allowed to abort it?

A: By shar‘, it is ḥarām to abort a fetus. The mere fact that it is not fully developed does not justify to abort it even before ensoulment. However, if fetal abnormality makes it unbearably hard to raise/keep such a baby, one is allowed to abort it before ensoulment. But whoever causes the abortion should pay the blood money.