نص قرآني / حديث شريفThe Prophet ﷺ described the stages of creation: forty days as a drop, forty days as a clot, forty days as a lump, and then the angel is sent and the soul is breathed in (Bukhari 3208, Muslim 2643). Scholars base the ruling on abortion on this and on the protection of life. Most contemporary councils say abortion is forbidden after the stage of ensoulment (120 days) except to save the mother's life. Before that stage the schools differ, from permitting it with a valid reason, to disliking it, to forbidding it. Contraception is a different question: the Companions practised withdrawal (azl) while the Qur'an was being revealed and the Prophet ﷺ did not forbid it (Bukhari 5207, Muslim 1440). Most scholars therefore permit temporary contraception by agreement of the spouses, while rejecting permanent sterilisation without medical need. Prenatal testing is allowed for care, but not to justify abortion of a healthy child. This lesson explains how scholars and councils reason; it is not a personal fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar and your doctor.