Page 25 - Pakistan Link - November 10, 2017

RELIGION NOVEMBER 10, 2017 – PAKISTAN LINK – P25

Questions of Life and Death Gems from the
Holy Qur’an

n By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

or take life - which Allah
has made sacred - except
Nfor just cause. And if any-
one is slain wrongfully, We have
given his heir authority (to de-
mand Qisas or to forgive): but
let him not exceed bounds in
the matter of taking life; for he
is helped (by the law). (Al-Isra’
17:33) From the traanslation by
Say: “Come, I Muhammad Asad (Leopold
will rehearse what Weiss)
Allah has (really)
prohibited you About the translator:
from”: join not Muhammad Asad, Leopold
anything as equal Weiss, was born of Jewish parents
with Him; be good in Livow, Austria (later Poland)
to your parents; in 1900, and at the age of 22 made
kill not your children on a plea of his fi rst visit to the Middle East. He
want - We provide sustenance for later became an outstanding foreign
you and for them - come not nigh correspondent for the Franfurter
to shameful deeds, whether open Zeitung, and aft er his conversion to
or secret; take not life, which Al- Islam travelled and worked through-
lah hath made sacred, except by out the Muslim world, from North
way of justice and law: thus does Africa to as far east as Afghanistan,
He command you, that you may India and Pakistan. Aft er years of
learn wisdom. (Al-An’am 6:151) devoted study he became one of the
Islam considers human life leading Muslim scholars of our age.
sacred. Life is to be protected His translation of the Holy Qur’an is
and promoted as much as pos- one of the most lucid and well-refer-
sible. Since the Florida woman enced works in this category, dedi-
Terri Shiavo’s case came in the cated to “li-qawmin yatafakkaroon”
news, there is a lot of discussion (For people who think).
on the issue of life and death. It
is important for us as Muslims to Chapter 10, Verses 25-26
understand our position and also And [know that] God invites
to prepare ourselves in case we [man] unto the abode of peace, and
or our dear ones confront such a duty of the doctors, patients’ rel- ing person. Th ey should do their sequences. It is better that courts guides him that wills [to be guided]
situation. atives, and the state to take care best to provide him/her with should not interfere in this matter onto a straight way.
Th ere are a number of im- of the sick and to do their best to necessary nutrition by whatever unless there is a suspicion that, For those who persevere in
portant questions: reduce the pain and suff ering of method it is possible. for example, the doctor belongs doing good there is the ultimate
1. What is the Islamic posi- the sick, but they are not allowed 2. Prolonging life artifi cially: to an organ transplant group or good in store, and more [than that].
tion on euthanasia? under any circumstances to kill Th e Shari’ah favors life and em- the family member is interested No darkness and no ignominy will
2. Is it permissible to pro- the sick person. Th e sick person phasizes that life should be pro- in the inheritance or bequeath overshadow their faces [on Resur-
long life artifi cially and at what also should patiently endure the tected as much as it is possible. or anyone in the team is accused rection Day]: it is they who are des-
point it is allowed for doctors to pain and should pray to Allah. According to the Qur’an “saving of professional misconduct. It is tined for paradise, therein to abide.
“pull the plug”? Faith and patience bring both one life is like saving the whole better to make error and save life
3. In case of dispute who comfort and blessings in this life humanity” (Al-Ma’idah 5:32). rather than err and lose life. Chapter 10, Verse 37
makes the fi nal decision: doc- and in the eternal life. Th us the Shari’ah scholars are in 4. When is a person dead? Now this Qur’an could not have
tors, parents, spouse, children or If, however, a number of favor of using all methods, in- Muslim medical experts have been devised by anyone save God:
government? medical experts determine that cluding artifi cial resuscitation to defi ned death in the following nay, indeed, it confi rms the truth
4. When does the death oc- a patient is in a terminal condi- protect life. way: An individual is considered of whatever there still remains [of
cur? tion, there is no hope for his/ If a patient is placed on life dead in one of the following two earlier revelations] and clearly spells
5. How important it is for her recovery and all medications support and the doctors see no situations: A) Complete irrevers- out the revelation [which comes] –
us Muslims to prepare a will ex- have become useless, then it is improvement in the patient’s ible cessation of respiratory and let there be no doubt about it – from
plaining our position in this mat- permissible for them, through conditions, and the doctors in- cardiovascular systems. B) Com- the Sustainer of all the worlds.
ter? a collective decision, to stop the dicate that artifi cial resuscitation plete irreversible cessation of the
1. Euthanasia or “Mercy Kill- medication. Under no condition has become useless, then with functions of the brain including Chapter 10, Verse 44
ing”: Th ere is no provision in Is- it is permissible to induce death. due consideration and care and the brain stem. Th is should be Verily, God does not do the
lam for killing oneself or another As long as a person is alive, it is by collective decision of medical confi rmed by the accepted medi- least wrong unto men, but it is men
person to reduce his/her physical his/her right to be fed. Medical experts, family members and re- cal standards. In case of brain who wrong themselves.
or emotional pain or suff ering experts and relatives should not ligious scholars, it would be per- death it is required to have the
from sickness or injury. It is the withhold nutrition from a liv- missible to decide to switch off presence of a reliable medical Chapter 10, Verses 47-49
the life sup- specialist well experienced in the Now every community has
port machine clinical diagnosis of brain and had an apostle; and only aft er their
and to allow brain stem death and the various apostle has appeared [and delivered
nature to take implications of such diagnosis. his message] is judgment passed on
its course. 5. Preparing the will: Th e them, in all equity; and never are
3. In case Prophet - peace be upon him they wronged.
of dispute - urged all Muslims to prepare And yet, they [who deny the
who makes their will. It is always good to truth] are wont to ask, “When is that
the fi nal deci- have an Islamic will. Th e way the promise [of resurrection and judg-
sion, Shari’ah situation is changing and the in- ment] to be fulfi lled: [Answer this,
would prefer creasing involvement of the gov- O you who believe in it,] if you are
a consensus ernments and courts in this mat- men of truth!”
and collec- ter, makes it even more urgent Say [O Prophet]: “It is not with-
tive decision and necessary that we carefully in my power to avert harm from, or
in this mat- think how to prepare our Islamic bring benefi t to, myself, except as
ter. Th e deci- will, not only for the distribu- God may please. For all people a
sion should tion of inheritance, but also for term has been set: when the end of
be made with our medical treatment in case of their term approaches, they can nei-
compassion coma or other complications and ther delay it by a single moment, nor
and by bring- also our proper Islamic burial. hasten it.”
ing all the May Allah keep us on the
family mem- right path and save us from dif- Chapter 10, Verses 57-58
bers together fi culties in this life and in the life O Mankind! Th ere has now
by explaining to come. Ameen. come unto you an admonition from
the whole situ- (Khutbah at ISOC - Safar 15, your Sustainer, and a cure for all
ation and con- 1426/ March 25, 2005) GEMS, P28
www.PakistanLink.com