Euthanasia: An Islamic Ethical Perspective

Abstract

Euthanasia which is defined generally as the deliberate killing of a person for his/her benefit, raises moral and religious questions such as: is it ever right for another person to end the life of a terminally ill patient who is in severe pain or enduring other suffering? Under what circumstances euthanasia is right? In this article we are going to discuss this topic from Islamic perspective through reviewing Islamic primary texts and contemporary Muslim scholar?s point of views. We have used three main sources: a. the Islamic primary source, Holy Koran; b. religious opinions and decrees (Fatwas) from great Muslim scholars; and c. the Islamic codes of medical ethics. Islamic jurisprudence, based on a convincing interpretation of the holy koran, does not recognize a person?s right to die voluntarily. According to Islamic teachings, life is a divine trust and cannot be terminated by any form of active or passive voluntary intervention. There are two instances, however, that could be interpreted as passive assistance in allowing a terminally ill patient to die and would be permissible by Islamic law.

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