Abortion & Euthanasia
Sanctity of Life & Quality of Life
Two key concepts underpin religious and ethical debates about abortion and euthanasia. The sanctity of life is the belief that all human life is sacred because it is created by God. Christians point to Genesis 1:27: “God created mankind in his own image.” Muslims believe Allah breathes a soul (ruh) into every person at a key stage of foetal development; Qur’an 32:9 describes this in the context of Adam’s creation: “Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit.” The dominant Hanafi position places ensoulment at 120 days; some Maliki and Hanbali scholars place it at 40 days. Qur’an 6:2 (“It is He who created you from clay, then determined a term for you”) establishes that lifespan is divinely appointed.
The quality of life is a different concept — it considers whether a person’s life is worth living based on their level of comfort, independence, happiness and freedom from pain. Some people argue that when quality of life is extremely poor, ending suffering may be the most compassionate response.
The tension between sanctity of life and quality of life is at the heart of both the abortion and euthanasia debates. Those who prioritise sanctity argue that life must never be deliberately ended. Those who emphasise quality of life argue that sometimes ending suffering is the most loving and compassionate thing to do.
Abortion
Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. In England, Scotland and Wales, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act 1967 (amended 1990), provided two doctors agree that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the physical or mental health of the mother or existing children. After 24 weeks, abortion is allowed only in three cases: the mother’s life is at risk, the abortion is needed to prevent grave permanent injury to her physical or mental health, or the foetus has a severe abnormality.
Catholic Church: Abortion is always wrong because life begins at conception and is sacred. The Catechism states: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.” The only exception is if a medical procedure to save the mother’s life indirectly causes the death of the foetus (the principle of double effect).
Church of England: Abortion is generally opposed but accepted in certain circumstances, such as when the mother’s life is at risk, in cases of severe foetal abnormality, or after rape. The decision should be made with compassion and careful thought.
Liberal Christians: Some argue that the most loving thing may be to allow abortion in difficult circumstances. They apply Jesus’s teaching of compassion and the principle of “the lesser of two evils.”
Most Muslim scholars oppose abortion after ensoulment (when the soul enters the body), traditionally believed to occur at 120 days. Before this point, some scholars permit abortion in certain circumstances, such as when the mother’s life is in danger. The Qur’an (17:31) warns: “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty.”
If the mother’s life is at risk, most scholars agree that her life takes priority because she has existing responsibilities and relationships. However, abortion for convenience or non-medical reasons is generally considered haram.
Euthanasia
Euthanasia means deliberately ending someone’s life to relieve suffering. It is sometimes called “mercy killing.” There are different types: voluntary euthanasia (the person requests it), non-voluntary euthanasia (the person cannot give consent, e.g. in a coma), and assisted suicide (helping someone end their own life). All forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in the UK.
Both Christianity and Islam oppose euthanasia. Christians believe life is a gift from God and only God should decide when it ends. Job 1:21 says: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.” Islam teaches that only Allah determines the time of death: “No soul can die except by Allah’s leave” (Qur’an 3:145). However, both religions support palliative care to relieve suffering without hastening death.
Arguments for: People should have the right to choose how and when they die. Forcing someone to live in extreme pain is cruel. Quality of life matters — when there is no hope of recovery, euthanasia may be the most compassionate option. Some argue Jesus’s Golden Rule (“Do to others what you would have them do to you” — Matthew 7:12) supports ending suffering.
Arguments against: Life is sacred and belongs to God — humans do not have the right to end it. Euthanasia could lead to a “slippery slope” where vulnerable people feel pressured to die. Modern palliative care can manage pain effectively. The Qur’an teaches patience in suffering: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (2:286).
Death & the Afterlife
Religious beliefs about what happens after death influence attitudes towards euthanasia and the value of life.
Christianity: Most Christians believe in an afterlife. The soul continues after death — the righteous go to heaven (eternal life with God) and the unrighteous face judgement. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). This belief gives Christians hope and comfort in the face of death.
Islam: Muslims believe in Yawm al-Din (the Day of Judgement), when Allah will resurrect all people and judge their deeds. The righteous will enter Jannah (paradise) and the wicked will be sent to Jahannam (hell). This belief means Muslims see life as a test and believe suffering has a purpose — it builds patience and strengthens faith.
Belief in an afterlife reinforces opposition to euthanasia. If this life is a preparation for eternal life, then cutting it short may have spiritual consequences. Christians may fear that taking one’s own life or assisting death goes against God’s plan. Muslims believe that accepting suffering patiently is rewarded in the afterlife. However, some non-religious people argue that without an afterlife, reducing suffering in this life becomes even more important — supporting the case for euthanasia.
Humanists and atheists, who do not believe in an afterlife, argue that moral decisions should focus on reducing suffering in this life. They may support euthanasia because they believe people have the right to die with dignity. This contrasts with religious views that see suffering as meaningful and life as belonging to God.