Attitudes toward abortion in the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: A narrative review.

The 3 Abrahamic religions, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, regard the human being as the most noble and perfect being due to their monotheistic attitude and value him above all creatures. This dignity is such that even the human embryo is viewed as a complete and perfect human being. All 3 religions place a high value on unborn life generally and prohibit abortion but allow exceptions when the mother's life is in danger. In Judaism, abortion is permitted to save the mother's life based on the concept of rodef, and some scholars allow it for pregnancies resulting from adultery or potential birth defects. Catholicism uses the principle of "double effect" to justify abortion when necessary to save the mother. Islam prioritizes warding off harm over gaining benefits, permitting abortion only when a certain benefit to the mother outweighs the harm to the fetus. Although there is a controversy over the human embryo in the early days of its formation, all 3 religions agree on the illegitimacy of abortion in the final months of pregnancy. Perhaps the permission of abortion in the event of a risk for the mother's health to preserve her health and well-being is the most important common ground of these 3 heavenly religions. The abortion permission in other cases, such as disability, maiming, is a matter of dispute between the 3 religions.