Euthanasia: Analysis for the Concept from Islamic Perception

Abstract


 
 
 Abstract
 Euthanasia is ethically, religiously, and legally charged topic. Health care professionals should integrate spiritual aspects in their decision making regarding euthanasia while dealing with muslim patients. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Islami view for the concept of euthanasia and its permissiblility in Islam, while discussing different ethical and legal aspects that may affect the perspectives of muslims regarding euthanasia. Active euthanasia is prohibited in Islam. This view is strongly supported by laws and ethical princiles in Islamic communites. However, administering analgesic agents that might shorten the patient’s life, with the purpose of relieving the physical pain is accepted, because it is not aimed at killing. On the other hand, negative euthanasia is never accepted. However, withdrawing a futile treatment and allowing death to take its natural course for persons who are already died is acceptable. In this situation, the patient is already dead, and there is no use of keeping life supporting instruments. It is highly recommended for all health care professionals who are providing care for muslim patients to carefully consider the Islamic perspective regarding euthanasia.
 Keywords: Euthanasia, Analysis, Concept, Islam, Perception, Law, Ethic
 
 

The Islamic perspective on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia

“…The holism concept in healthcare while dealing with patients requires the healthcare providers to integrate religious and spiritual aspects in their decision making, especially in the Islamic population, as they consider Islam as a whole system for living. 39 Regarding PAS and euthanasia, few articles have examined the influence of the Islamic religion in shaping an individual's perception, and how it contributes to determining the attitudes of Muslims. 39 Due to the recent global changes in healthcare systems, there has been a gradual change in the attitudes of the public, along with the medical fraternity and allied health sciences community, towards the acceptance of PAS.…”

“…39 Regarding PAS and euthanasia, few articles have examined the influence of the Islamic religion in shaping an individual's perception, and how it contributes to determining the attitudes of Muslims. 39 Due to the recent global changes in healthcare systems, there has been a gradual change in the attitudes of the public, along with the medical fraternity and allied health sciences community, towards the acceptance of PAS. 1,4 Attitudes are affected by various factors, such as cultural beliefs and patients' demography.…”