Abstract
Developments in the field of contraception have given rise to emerging issues within Imami jurisprudence (Shiʿi fiqh), which require a careful re-examination of the relevant Sharʿi evidences and jurisprudential principles. One of the most significant of these issues is post-coital contraception through the use of emergency contraceptive pills.
The principal question of this study is whether, from the perspective of Imami jurisprudence, post-coital contraception by means of emergency pills is legally permissible, and whether such an act falls under the evidences prohibiting abortion, or whether a ruling of permissibility can be established for it. To address this question, the present research adopts a descriptive analytical approach and, relying on authoritative jurisprudential sources, examines the jurisprudential ruling of this practice.
The analysis of jurisprudential data indicates that the essential criterion for the application of the title “abortion” is the realization and implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterus and the commencement of the embryonic developmental process. Emergency contraceptive pills, however, according to definitive medical data, act prior to the stage of implantation and prevent the establishment of the fertilized ovum in the uterus. Accordingly, in the absence of implantation, the title of “embryo” is not realized, and the evidences concerning the prohibition of abortion do not apply to this case. Conversely, after the implantation of the fertilized ovum and the realization of the title of embryo, any action aimed at eliminating it falls under the definitive evidences prohibiting abortion and is devoid of Sharʿi legitimacy from the perspective of Imami jurisprudence.