What is the minimum duration for pregnancy?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)

Book 44 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The minimum duration for pregnancy is six months. This is established by the case where a woman gave birth after six months, and upon consulting with Ali, Umar refrained from executing her by stoning. The evidence used to support this minimum duration is derived from reconciling Quranic verses concerning nursing and pregnancy/weaning periods. Quran 2:233 states that mothers nurse their children for two full years, and Quran 46:15 states that gestation and weaning total thirty months. Two years (24 months) plus six months equals thirty months, thereby establishing the six-month minimum. This view is held by Malik, Al-Shafi'i, the Ashab ar-Ra'y (Hanafi scholars), and others. The case of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan being born after six months is also cited as evidence.

Supporting text

It is narrated from 'Ikrimah that he initially attributed the opinion regarding the six-month minimum solely to Ibn Abbas, contradicting the report that Ali had stated this.