Reza Nejatbakhsh - Department of Anatomy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Seyyed Meisam Ebrahimi - Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Background: One way of dealing with the issue of abortion is to morally evaluate it. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the abortion laws from the viewpoint of divine religions.Methods: In a systematic survey of the databases PubMed, Elsevier, Ovid, Clinical key, SID, IranMedex and etc. from 2005 to the present, the relevant articles were extracted and analyzed.Result: Islam (Shia cult) strictly prohibits abortion except a few cases, what spirit is blown in and what is not. These include the death of the unborn child; the mother s life is in danger, teratogen fetus, and transportation of adultery and so on. Hanifa religious outlooks abortion is possible before four months of age (prior to impart spirit). Malekite sect prohibits abortion at any stage and from the perspective of Hanbali sect forty days before abortion is permissible. From the perspective of Zoroastrianism whatever updated knowledge says should be done. Catholic Christian religion is committed to the dual theory in which the mother s life is more important. Jews believe that if fetus is malformed it cannot be aborted, and if the embryo in the womb, the mother s life is in danger, there are two modes: If fetus is not removed, it can be aborted, but if the larger part of the fetus exit from the uterus it is not possible to waive the penalty.Conclusion: As our results shows, different religions, faiths and sects have different views on abortion and knowledge of these laws can help parents to choose the best choice.

Law, Religion, Abortion