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Euthanasia

Despite the fact that IOMS did examine this issue in a previous seminar, a special session was dedicated to the same in this seminar where papers were presented by: Dr. Yusuf El- Qaradawi, Dr. Mohammad El-Mokhtar El-Salami, Dr. MohammadEl-Mahdi El- Taskheeri, Dr. John Bryant and Dr. Gamal Zaki. Ample time was allocated to interventions and discussions. This was decided in view of the fact that euthanasia, or mercy killing, has been increasingly advocated in the west where our students are confronted with a new form of missionary work while some Muslim countries, on the other hand, host members of the medical profession who are either non-believer or non-practicing believers.

This seminar reiterates that euthanasia is repugnant to Islam, other names, e.g. death in dignity, given thereto notwithstanding. It stands repugnant to Islam whether it is effected through a medical intervention or through the mere provision by a doctor of conditions allowing a patient to take one's life. The same applies to any otber form of positive or negative intervention, including withdrawal of medication from a patient with the intent to kill him or her, even if this was the desire ofhis or her family.

However, since a definitively futile medication cannot be considered a duty, remedial procedures may be withdrawn or stopped. In any case, a patient remains fully entitled to universal human rights including hydration, feeding, nursing and alleviation of pain.