5a an Islamic Perspective on End of Life Issues

8/14/2019 5a an Islamic Perspective on End of Life Issues

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Compiled by Tehseen LazzouniIslamic Speakers Bureau of San Diego

Based on Works by the Islamic Medical Association of NorthAmerica (IMANA), Dr. Gamal Badawi, Dr. Saleem Saiyad,

and the Islamic Networks Group


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Islam: Peace through Submission to God Muslim: One who Submits to God Monotheistic Faith following the Abrahamic

tradition Worldwide Muslim Population: > 1.6 Billion U.S. Muslim Population: ~7 Million

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God Angels Prophets Holy Books Day of Judgment Will of God

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Based on Islamic laws the Shariah in placeto benefit humans

Major goals of Shariah protection andpreservation of:

Life Intellect Progeny Property Religion

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First Principle (from the Quran): Whosoeversaves a human life, saves the life of the wholemankind.

Second Principle (from the Hadith ): There isno disease that God has created, except that Healso has created its treatment.

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Necessity overrides prohibition Harm must be removed at every cost if

possible Accepting the lesser of two harms if both

cannot be avoided Public interest overrides individual interest

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1. Muslim patients should be identified asMuslim

2. Respect for modesty and privacy3. No pork or alcohol4. Facilitate daily prayers if possible5. Inform patients of their rights; encourage

living will6. Explanation of test procedures and treatment

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7. Allow Imam to visit and pray for patient8. Autopsy permitted if necessary9. Organ donation permitted within guidelines10. Female patient exam in presence of another

female11. After death, allow arrangements for Islamic

burial

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When death is inevitable, as determined by ateam of physicians, patient should be allowedto die without unnecessary procedures.

Ongoing medical treatments can be continued.Mechanical support can be withdrawn. Patient should be treated with full respect,

comfort measures, and pain control. Noattempt to withhold nutrition & hydration.

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Two Different Views: Person considered alive; withdrawal of life support

forbidden if endangers life of patient (ING View)

Should not prolong misery of dying patients; imamshould be included in decision-making process(IMANA View)

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Death an event under complete control of God No soul can die except by Allahs permission.

According to Shariah , person considered deadwhen either of the following two signs is noted:

Heartbeat and breathing stop completely; doctorsdecide these cannot be restarted

All the functions of brain stop completely; doctorsand specialists confirm this is irreversible and brainhas started to disintegrate

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General consensus on DNRs in Islamic communityis still evolving; decision of medical futility to bedetermined by doctors on the case.

In the absence of terminal illness or futile caresituations, the Muslim patient should seek medicaltreatment, including resuscitation, until recoveryor stage of terminal illness or vegetative state is

reached. Encouraged to have a written living will and to be

full code agreement to use all recognizedtherapies, given reasonable chance of recovery.

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Patients eyes to be closed Body to be covered Family may ask for body to be turned so patient can

face Mecca, if possible Body washed and wrapped in a white cloth before

burial Burial to take place quickly no cremation or

embalming

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Two contrasting opinions on organ donation: 1. Not allowed we do not own our bodies 2. Allowed and encouraged great act of charity

IMANA takes the second opinion: organ donation

allowed under the following conditions: If specifically indicated by the deceased in a will or ondrivers license

For purpose of saving life No financial incentive No cost to donors family No donation of reproductive organs

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5a an Islamic Perspective on End of Life Issues

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