Islam and euthanasia physician not only has a duty to relieve the physical ailments of his patients, but also has to consider his mental and spiritual needs as well. Slide 17 bioethics in islam euthanasia people who support euthanasia usually do so because of the pain suffered by the patient, thus using the phrase mercy killing. In contrast, the islamic faith also holds strong perspectives and views on euthanasia. Muslim jurists regard euthanasia as an act of murder.
Commenting on the killing of abel by his brother caine the two sons of adam, god says in the quran. The first is sometimes called the narrow construal of euthanasia, by which euthanasia is equivalent to mercy killing. In fact, islam is a religion that encompasses all aspects of life and secures guidance and light for all mankind. Imjm volume 17 special issue no 2 euthanasia from the islamic. I think some people put their pets down too easily, often for silly reasons, but i have also seen people hold on for too. Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of a person for hisher benefit. I have a pet cat which is severely ill and dying of cancer. But the subject of euthanasia is a clear matter that all the branches of islam have had a unified opinion on.
Jurisprudential and ethical reflections on some issues in bioethics islam emphasises the importance of maintaining ones health and preventing illness, but when prevention fails, all efforts must be made to restore the health. Many religions have very strong views about euthanasia and what is considered right and wrong. Jurisprudential and ethical reflections on some issues in bioethics. Oct 19, 2008 islam is against euthanasia mercy killing. Therefore, animals should be treated kindly and mercifully. Islam spells things out quite plainly, with enough similes to clarify every point in the system of beliefs. In 2004 the lord joffe bill to legalise pas was defeated. For example, ayatollah khomeini declared that any measure for hastening death of someone is considered as a murder. The islamic arguments against euthanasia can be summarized in two main reasons. Biblical analysis foundational to a biblical perspective on euthanasia is a proper understanding of the sanctity of human life. Euthanasia which is defined generally as the deliberate killing of a person for hisher benefit, raises moral and religious questions such as.
Euthanasia, physicianassisted suicide, and all other types of suicide are almost unanimously condemned in jewish thought, primarily because it is viewed as taking something a human life that belongs to god. What are the religious and moral underpinnings of these responses in islam. Life is to be protected and promoted as much as possible. Euthanasia in islamic law with respect to the theory of protecting. It is neither permissible in islam to kill another human being, nor even to kill ones own self suicide. The use of medical technology, therefore, raises questions about the moral appropriateness of sustaining life.
What is the christian perspective on euthanasia or assisted. Mar 22, 2019 islam teaches that the control of life and death is in allahs hands, and cannot be manipulated by human beings. As of 2015, euthanasia is legal in the netherlands, belgium, and luxembourg. While the influence of religion on ones views toward palliative care do make a difference, they often play a smaller role than one may think. Furthermore, another reference that reinforces the sacredness of life to islamic people is clear through, take not life which allah made sacred otherwise than in the course of justice. Pdf euthanasia which is defined generally as the deliberate killing of a person for hisher benefit, raises moral and religious questions such as. Aug 21, 2012 euthanasia and suicide are not included among the reasons allowed for killing in islam.
They believe that all human life is sacred because it is given by allah, and that allah chooses how long each person will live. By joining these values to respect for selfdetermination, some theologians can find a way of tolerating euthanasia as a final resort. Drawing on western christian thinking to develop an expanded western sunni muslim perspective on euthanasia. Euthanasia and suicide are not included among the reasons allowed for killing in islam. View notes proposal and annotated bibliography on euthanasia in islam and christianity. In indonesia, euthanasia can not be done and it is classified as an illegal act. The word euthanasia derives from the greek words euthanatos meaning good death or easy death.
Many catholics are against euthanasia although there are a select few followers who support it. While ones view on the matter doesnt necessarily connect directly to their religion, it often impacts a persons opinion. The problems of euthanasia, clinically assisted death cad, and withdrawal of treatment from terminally ill. According to imam dillan from the islamic college, life is a gift from god therefore as humans it is our responsibility to return it to him. The sanctity of human life is a basic value as decreed by god even before the times of moses, jesus and mohammad. Physicianassisted suicide and other forms of euthanasia. Do not take life, which allah made sacred, other than in the course of justice. The times online summarizes a 2005 declaration by the archbishop of canterbury, head of the anglican communion, on euthanasia. Life itself is sacred, and it is therefore forbidden to end life deliberately, either through homicide or suicide. Rst 150 spring 2015 final paper proposal and full annotated. Islamic ethics of life considers three of the most contentious ethical issues of our timeabortion, war, and euthanasiafrom the muslim perspective. Jack kevorkian, a 63yearold retired pathologist, was charged with firstdegree murder after he helped an oregon woman with alzheimers disease commit suicide in june 1990. They all believe that human life is a gift from god, and no human being should get rid of such a gift. While the influence of religion on ones views toward palliative care do make a difference, they often play.
Killing is allowed only in a declared just war situation when the enemy comes. Toward an islamic perspective on euthanasia open research exeter. According to islamic teachings, life is a divine trust. This paper claims that islamic spiritual care can help people make decisions that may impact patients, family members, health care givers and the whole community by responding to questions such as what is the islamic view on death.
A muslims perspective 3 argues that the term euthanasia has no generally accepted and philosophically warranted core of meaning. Understanding the issues part one in a twopart series on euthanasia by j. Murder can be performed with a gun or with a syringe by a series killer or by a physician or even by the murdered himself. Nov, 2017 guest author maryam sultan presents information to enhance the experience of the muslim patient receiving treatment and the healthcare professionals providing care by facilitating an understanding of islams teachings on medical treatment and endoflife care. An islamic perspective mohammad manzoor malik introduction euthanasia is one of the significant bioethical issues that has. And 2allah decides how long each of us will live and two verses support this reason. Proposal and annotated bibliography on euthanasia in islam. Involuntary euthanasia a mentally competent person is not consulted and arguably their life is ended against their own will. Religious views on euthanasia are both varied and complicated.
Menurut philo 5020 sm, euthanasia berarti mati dengan tenang dan baik, sedangkan suetonis penulis romawi dalam bukunya vita caesarum mengatakan bahwa euthanasia berarti mati cepat tanpa derita. Distinguished scholars of islamic studies have collaborated to produce a volume that both integrates muslim thinking into the field of applied ethics and introduces readers to an aspect of the. Islam teaches that the control of life and death is in allahs hands, and cannot be manipulated by human beings. In our position paper, euthanasia from an islamic perspective, we are very clear that active euthanasia giving lethal injection to end life, as an example is not just absolutely prohibited. Abstract euthanasia is an attempt to end someone life when heshe has an uncurable illness, euthanasia will be done in order to release hisher from suffering hisher illness. There are important differences between islamic countries.
The archbishop of canterbury, dr rowan williams, insists today that human and ethical reasons mean that the church of england can never soften its line on euthanasia. Mar 18, 2015 anglican views on suicide and euthanasia. Concerning your question, islam, the true religion of allah, cares about the wellbeing of all creatures. Islamic ethics of life considers three of the most contentious ethical issues of our timeabortion, war, and euthanasia from the muslim perspective. Euthanasia is usually taken to mean mercy killing and is applied to situations where a patient is suffering severely or is enduring a terminal illness. Issues in contemporary interdisciplinary discourse.
The euthanasia problem over which many people debate including physicians and jurists has been a discussion subject for islamic jurists as well. Islam has definite views on euthanasia, and this essay will bring to the fore all of the main beliefs relevant to the issue of euthanasia assisted suicide. Imjm volume 17 special issue no 2 euthanasia from the. Abstract euthanasia is an attempt to end someone life when heshe has an uncurable illness, euthanasia. Nonvoluntary euthanasia the person lacks capacity and has not requested to be euthanized. Therefore, we dont have the liberty to take our life. The conference was a continuation of two previous efforts.
Euthanasia and suicide in islam muslims are against euthanasia. Masalah euthanasia biasanya dikaitkan dengan masalah bunuh diri. In terms of a patient with a terminal disease, muslims believe that there is no other. In america, the state of oregon legitimately legalized euthanasia, in particular, voluntary active euthanasia where consent of. The study calls on muslims to ensure that islamic teachings on medical ethics are entrenched in all fabrics of human endeavour.
An islamic ethical perspective kiarash aramesh and heydar shadi medical ethics and history of medicine research center, medical. Mercy killing of animals to end their suffering i have a pet cat which is severely ill and dying of cancer. On the other hand, does this mean we postpone death by using every means of treatment available. I cannot tell you what islam says about euthanasia for pets, but i can tell you that, as someone who worked at a veterinarians office for a while, i sometimes think it is the right thing all depending on the situation. What guidance is offered by the great world religions. Euthanasia can more helpfully be defined as the intentional killing by act or omission of. Motlani, islam, euthanasia and western christianity, 6. In america, the state of oregon legitimately legalized euthanasia, in particular, voluntary active euthanasia where consent of patients is obtained.
As a conclusion we can say that the islamic position is that life belongs to allah. In the course of time, the meaning of the term gained the connotation of mercy killing. Islamic ruling judges euthanasia and what are the impression of muslim scholars on euthanasia is an. Rr motlani, islam, euthanasia and western christianity. Islam has definite views on euthanasia, and this essay will bring to the fore all of the main beliefs relevant to the issue of euthanasiaassisted suicide. Euthanasia in fact means ending a patients life according to certain principles. An islamic perspective mohammad manzoor malik introduction euthanasia is one of the significant bioethical issues that has grown in complexity over time because of unprecedented developments in medicine, biotechnology, palliative care, and advanced medical technology. The safeguarding of the human life, which is the greatest of gods creation, after allah himself, is entrusted to the physicians. Get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article 837k, or click on a page image below to browse page by page. Keywords death, euthanasia, islamic spiritual care, physicianassisted suicide. Physicianassisted suicide and other forms of euthanasia in. If the government in your nation declares the practice of euthanasia or assisted suicide legal, such a declaration does not change any of the points made above. I object because i believe that life is a gift from god and we must answer to him for how we use our life. Mar 18, 2015 what does judaism teach about euthanasia.
Killing is allowed only in a declared just war situation when the enemy comes to attack, then killing of the enemy is allowed for selfdefense. Links to pubmed are also available for selected references. In fact, most established religions, including islam, greatly value human life and most of established religions the anglican church of australia, the roman catholic church, judaism, islam, but not the uniting church in australia disapprove of active voluntary euthanasia and physicianassisted suicide baume, et al, 1995. Would it be permissible to put the cat to sleep to end its suffering and agony.
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