Islamset - Introduction

"The Islamic Vision of Some Medical Practices"

In the name of Allah, the Rahman, the Merciful

INTRODUCTION

Praise be to Allah who guided us to Islam and gave us honour by being Muslims, and blessings and peace be upon prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.

The entire world is now facing a cultural crisis never witnessed throughout the history of mankind. The findings of science that Allah willed to be harnessed for man's service have eventually become a dominating master and an obedient servant in the hands of politicians and those in power, but for humanity at large a sword threateningly drawn. The arsenals of weapons have grown chock-full of the tools of destruction and devastation and the race has now peaked in the hope of owning the most effective tools of annihilation; on the other hand, millions of people are dying out of hunger, disease and homelessness.

Strangely enough, what is now spent on weapons of destruction and devastation is several fold that which is spent on food, clothing and medicine. Had the world addressed itself, in an equal measure and with the same capabilities, to combating the enemies of humanity, namely, hunger, poverty and disease, there would have never been anyone who is hungry, shelterless or needy on this earth. Most scientific research is directed to serve evil more than good. Even the field of medicine was not spared the affliction, and many deviated concepts that in no way come under any moral principle spread throughout the world, and the medical profession faced a dangerous predicament with the most cherished code of ethics which, throughout the years and ages was cause of respect and esteem on the part of both the rulers and the ruled. Those who were engaged in medical sciences used to command a prestigeous status in society and were examples for high morals and noble qualities. However, this has now been shaken up due to the moral corruption and degeneration that characterize a category of the people naturally disposed to weakness, and so they mercilessly wanted to assassinate the long-established code of ethics, and their call was welcomed by a few who are after quick gain or are ignorant of the divine teachings which call for sacrifice and giving or, perhaps, are prompted by a disposition to satisfy crude instinct regardless of subsequent problems.

Still, it is quite auspicious that the majority in the medical profession are, nonetheless, adhering to the convenant, tenaciously clinging to the strong rope of Allah. Medicine is singled out, from amongst the different disciplines, natural sciences and the arts, for the special relationship binding a patient to his doctor, which is a distinctive direct one. Usually a patient confides to his doctor the most private and personal matters, being unhesitantly sure of the secrecy; consequently, if this rule is broken it will result in a rift in this inter-relation which, in turn, will affect the patient's health. To err is human, but the best of those who err are the repentant, and the door to repentance is open, for our Lord the Rahman The Merciful forgives all sins except to associate a partner with Him.

Yet, in view of the deterioration of morals, the high rate of vile deeds and the gradual disappearance of virtue, the cards became mixed up, the heart full of uneasiness and the vision concerning what is religiously permissible "halal" and what is impermissible "haram" not clear, and we had no way but to resort to the unfailing strong rope of Allah, tenaciously cilinging to it as there is no defender from the decree of Allah save for one whom He has guarded.

The problem which gave rise to psychological conflict and caused some to be really puzzled, not to mention the different opinions and attitudes concerning it is that the physician may be faced by a given case where a forbidden act was committed. Will this prompt him towards imposition of punishment "qisas" in earnest concern with Islam and Muslims, regardless of the medical tradition respecting professional confidentiality? Or will he take the attitude of the sincere adviser keeping the secret deep in his heart?

Therefore, we have deemed it momentous to raise the topic of "The Islamic Vision of Some Medical Practices" with a view of elucidating the opinion of the Islamic Sharia on matters that are of concern to the doctor.

With this aim in mind, we invited both Sharia and medical scholars to explain what the medical practice confronts due to certain deviations so that concepts may be corrected according to the Sharia of Islam.

This is a full documentation of the works of the symposium.

It is our hope that by favour of the Almighty this work will be successful in elucidating vague issues and that we all be guided to the straight path.

Dr. Abd El-Rahman Abdulla Al-Awadi
Minister of Public Health and
Minister of Planning
Chairman of I. O. M. S.