Abstract

Muslim jurisprudents and muftis issue fatwas on abortion based on Ijtihad. Three fundamental principles of Ijtihad indicate that jurisprudence has to consider the changes of the time and place, the public interest, and the least harm in issuing fatwas. However, many ignore these principles since they stick to the traditional concept of health which is their basis to issue fatwas. In this paper, we analyze how Islamic jurisprudence, through using these principles in perception of the concept of health, can help to solve the illegal abortion crisis in Muslim countries.