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The Sanctity of Human Life

* "On that account we decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a human soul for other than manslaughter or corruption in the land, it shall be as if he killed all mankind, and who-so-ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he saved the life of all mankind". 5-32.

* Human Life is sacred and should not be wilfully taken except upon the indications specified in Islamic Jurisprudence, all of which are outside the do main of the Medical Profession.

* A Doctor shall not take away life even when motivated by mercy. This is prohibited because this is not one of the legitimate indications for killing. Direct guidance in this respect is given by the Prophet's tradition: "In old times there was a man with an ailment that taxed his endurance. He cut his wrist with a knife and bled to death. God was displeased and said "My subject hastened his end  I deny him paradise".

"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. If this is sound thinking, it would have been reasonable for almost all of the human race  to commit suicide and get rid' of the difficulties of life for indeed hardly a life is devoid of difficulty or pain. The claim of killing for painful hopeless illness is also refuted, for there is no  human pain that cannot be conquered by medication or by suitable neurosurgery. Another category is killing to obviate the miseries presumably ensuing upon deformity. If this earns acceptance, then it will not be long until claims are made to kill the aged and unproductive members of society as a measure of combating the sequelae of population growth  beyond available resources".

* The sanctity of human Life covers all its stages including intrauterine life of the embryo and fetus. This shall not be compromised by the Doctor save for the absolute medical necessity recognised by Islamic Jurisprudence.

"This is completely in harmony with modem medical science which lately has embraced a new speciality called Fetal Medicine striving to diagnose and treat  affliction of the fetus in utero, and devise an artificial placenta to sustain fetuses aborted before viability.

Modern permissive abortion policies are not sanctioned by Islam, which accords several rights to the fetus. There is a money ransom on abortion in Islam. A fetus has rights of inheritance and if aborted alive and dies it is inherited by its legal heirs. If a pregnant woman is sentenced to death for a crime, execution is postponed  until she delivers and nurses the baby even if that  pregnancy was illegitimate. The basic right to life of the  fetus is therefore self evident".

* In his defence of Life, however, the Doctor is well advised to realize his limit and not transgress it. If it is scientifically certain that life cannot be restored, then it is futile to diligently keep on the vegetative state of the patient by heroic means of animation or preserve him by deep-freezing or other artificial methods. It is the process of life that the Doctor aims to maintain and not the process of dying. In any case, the Doctor shall not take a positive measure to terminate the patient's life.

* To declare a person dead is a grave responsibility that ultimately rests with the Doctor. He shall appreciate the seriousness of his verdict and pass it in all honesty and only when sure of it. He may dispel any trace of doubt by seeking counsel and resorting to modern scientific gear.