Makkah : Wrapping up its 22nd session in Makkah on Wednesday, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, an affiliate of the Muslim World League (MWL), issued fatwa that prohibits euthanasia – the act of killing a person who is critically ill so that they do not suffer any more – either at the request of the patient or a relative.
After thorough consideration of the Islamic ruling on stopping of treatment for a terminally ill person with no hope in his/her recovery, the Academy stated that it is permissible to remove the resuscitation equipment if the patient is categorically proven brain dead.
(Credit: IINA)
In case the specialist physician believes that the treatment benefits the patient and it does not hurt him/her, or that it will do the patient more good than harm, the Academy authorized the physician to continue the treatment, even if its effect is temporary because the Almighty Allah may make the patient continue to benefit from the treatment, contrary to the physicians’ expectation.
In order to permit the stopping of treatment for a patient, the Academy explained that it requires a decision by three truthful specialist physicians, stipulating that the treatment do more harm to the patient and it has no effect on improving his/her condition.
The Academy stressed the importance of continuing health care for the patient, including the provision of nutrition and pain relievers as much as possible.