Ethics

Abortion

Muslims regard abortion as wrong and haram (forbidden), but many accept that it may be permitted in certain cases.

Animals

Muslims believe that all living creatures were made by Allah. They are instructed to treat animals with compassion. For meat to be halal (permissible) for Muslims to eat, the animals must be slaughtered in a particular way.

Capital punishment

Islam on the whole accepts capital punishment for two categories of crime: murder and 'spreading mischief in the land'.

Contraception

Islam is strongly pro-family and regards children as a gift from God. There is no single attitude to contraception within Islam, but eight of the nine schools of law permit it.

Euthanasia and suicide

Muslims are against euthanasia. They believe Allah chooses how long each person will live and human beings cannot interfere.

Circumcision of boys

Muslims are still the largest single religious group to circumcise boys. The main reason given is cleanliness. Circumcision is not mentioned in the Qur'an but is highlighted in the Sunnah.

Stem cell research

Islam does not have a central position on stem cells. Most Muslim countries have not yet introduced laws on research or cloning.

War

Islam sets down clear guidelines as to when war is ethically right, and clear guidelines as to how such a war should be conducted.

Jihad

In addition to other teachings about war, Islam has the concept of jihad.