Euthanasia
(Mercy Killing)
Nik Nur Hikmah Bt Ramli
Sharifah Nur Hidayah Syed Abu Bakar
Definition
From Greek word
Eu = good, nice, merciful and facilitated
Tathanos = death or killing
Linguistically = ‘merciful’ death or killing or
‘good’ or facilitated death
Modern science = facilitating the death of an
incurable patient at his own pressing request
presented to the treating physician.
People who are involved…
Patient in permanent vegetative state who is
awake and kept alive on artificial life support
(respirators, heart-lung machine and IV
nutrition)
Patient in terminal ill and may not be subject to
any life support machines
Types of euthanasia
Passive
Letting a person die by taking no action to
maintain his/her life.
Withdrawing medical or surgical procedures
and life support system.
Active
An act of commission by taking action that
leads to death – fatal injection
Conditions that leads to euthanasia
Muslim medical experts have defined death in
the following way
An individual is considered dead in one of the
following two situations:
Complete irreversible cessation of
respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Complete irreversible cessation of the
functions of the brain including the brain
stem.
In case of brain death it is required to have the
presence of a reliable medical specialist well
experienced in the clinical diagnosis of brain
and brain stem death and the various
implications of such diagnosis.
The team comprises two specialists with
experience in diagnosing brain death. One of
the two doctors of the team should be a
specialist in neurology, neurosurgery or
intensive care.
If a number of medical experts determine that a
patient is in a terminal condition, and there is no
hope for his/her recovery and all medications
have become useless, then it permissible for
them, through a collective decision, to stop the
medication.
Hukm of Euthanasia
Islam opposed euthanasia, regards it as an act of
murder.
“Do not take life, which Allah made sacred, other than in
the course of justice.” ( Surah Al-Isra' 17:33)
“Do not kill (or destroy) yourselves, for verily Allah has been
to you most Merciful” ( Surah An-Nisa’ 4:29).
Fatwa of Prominent Muslim Scholar
Sheikh Yusof Al-Qaradawi
Euthanasia is Islamically forbidden for it
encompasses a positive role on the part of the
physician to end the life of the patient and
hasten his death via lethal injection, electric
shock, a sharp weapon or any other way. This is
an act of killing, and, killing is a major sin and
thus forbidden in Islam, the religion of pure
mercy.
As for the suspension of medical treatment
via preventing the patient from his due
medication which is, from a medical
perspective, thought to be useless, this is
permissible and sometimes it is even
recommended. Thus, the physician can do
this for the sake of the patient’s comfort
and the relief of his family. Nothing is
wrong in this, Insha’ Allah (Allah willing).
Thus, due to his fatwa, the active
euthanasia is totally prohibited in Islam.
But, the passive euthanasia is permissible
as long as there is no hope for the patient
to recover.
The Islamic Code of Medical Ethics endorsed by
the First International Conference on Islamic
Medicine includes:
‚Mercy killing, like suicide, finds no support
except in the atheistic way of thinking that
believes that our life on this earth is followed by
void. The claim of killing for painful, hopeless
illness is also refuted, for there is no human
pain that cannot be largely conquered by
medication or by suitable neurosurgery...‛
On pain, suffering and endurance, Islam has
special consideration:
“Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a
reward without measure” ( Surah Az-Zumar :10).
Conclusion
Active euthanasia is haram in Islam because it is
likely the act of murder according to Quranic
verses and fatwa of Muslim scholars.
It is permissible due to some conditions- passive
euthanasia.
The patient that request for euthanasia in order
to stop his burden and pain is considered as
committing suicide.
When someone in pain or suffering severe
disease, he must be patient and willingly
accept it as well as attempted to get better
treatment.
Prophet Muhammad taught “When the believer is
afflicted with pain, even that of a prick of a thorn or
more, God forgives his sins, and his wrongdoings are
discarded as a tree sheds off its leaves.”