The bill, introduced by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed with 379 votes in favour and 137 against.
Of the Muslim MPs who voted, seven voted in favour of decriminalisation, four voted against, but the majority abstained or were absent.
Those who voted for decriminalisation were Dr Zubir Ahmed (Labour), Sadik Al Hassan (Labour), Apsana Begum (Independent), Zarah Sultana (Independent) and Tulip Siddiq (Labour).
Those who voted against were Mohammad Yasin (Labour), Saqib Bhatti (Conservative), Adnan Hussain (Independent), Ayoub Khan (Independent) and Iqbal Mohamed (Independent).
At the moment abortions are only legal up to 24 weeks but the new law removes the threat of prosecution for women who terminate their pregnancies outside the legal framework, such as through self-managed abortions or accessing medication online.
Therefore, women terminating pregnancies outside the rules even until the moment of birth will no longer be arrested or face prison.
Shock and anger
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Pro-life campaigners have made their opposition clear.
Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Right To Life UK, said: “Pro-abortion MPs have hijacked a government Bill to rush through this radical and seismic change to our abortion laws after just two hours’ debate.”
She warned that the amendment “would change the law so it would no longer be illegal for women to perform their own abortions for any reason, and at any point up to and during birth, likely leading to a significant increase in the number of women performing dangerous late-term abortions at home.”
Lord Alton of Liverpool commented: “There are potential real risks for the safety of women in particular who will be encouraged towards DIY abortions. I expect that colleagues in the House of Lords will wish to scrutinise its provisions very closely and to amend it as necessary to make it safe.”
The reform was driven by concerns over the increasing number of women facing criminal investigations under outdated 19th-century laws.
Since 2022, over 100 women have been investigated, with six charged.
The reforms will only become law once the full Bill successfully navigates both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is granted royal assent.
However, considering the government’s strong majority, it is widely anticipated to be approved smoothly.
Islamic position
There is a general consensus among Muslim scholars that abortion is prohibited due to the sanctity of life, except in certain specific circumstances and within specific time limits.
There is a spectrum of opinions among the four Sunni schools of thought regarding abortion in the first 40 days for a legitimate reason. Some scholars permit it, while others do not.
The medical and mental well-being of the mother is considered in such decisions, not financial or convenience factors.
But there is near-unanimous consensus among Muslim scholars that abortion is prohibited after the soul is believed to be blown into the fetus (around 120 days), except in cases where the mother’s life is in clear danger.
In some exceptional circumstances, such as rape, incest, or severe health risks to the mother, some scholars allow abortion before 120 days.
