Organ donation is an important medical procedure in which healthy organs from a donor are transplanted into the body of a patient in need. But for the Muslim community, organ donation is a subject that faces a tremendous dilemma between faith and necessity, as Islam, with its deep-rooted principles and diverse interpretations, offers a complex view on organ donation. This article discusses organ donation from an Islamic perspective, including various scholarly views, ethical discussions, and contemporary debates.
As progress is being made in the field of medicine, organ donation is emerging as a boon for the entire humanity to save lives and improve health. Experts say that one donor’s body parts can be helpful in saving or helping the lives of up to 50 people. Most of the organs and tissues are taken after the death of the donor, but there are some organs and tissues which the donor can donate during his lifetime and this does not cause any harm to the health of the donor.
People of all ages and backgrounds can donate organs. But for Muslims, the question of whether organ donation is in line with Islamic principles remains a matter of significant debate and discussion. The most interesting aspect of this is that Muslims have no hesitation in taking someone’s organ for transplant if needed, they are just reluctant to give it. Hey brother, can someone explain to me how something that is halal to take can be haraam to give to someone?
Islamic debate on organ donation
Whenever there is a debate on organ donation in Islam, opposing voices are heard saying that there is no scope for it in the books of Hadith, it is not allowed anywhere in the Quran. Now, how can a useless person like me explain to these Ulama-e-Karam that the same issues, situations and incidents are mentioned in the books of Hadith which happened during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
There is no scope or permission for loudspeakers in Hadith and Quran. So should giving Azaan on loudspeakers be considered Haraam? As far as the Quran is concerned, it contains all the things in words which if we read with an open mind, we can get guidance in living our life till the end of time. The 32nd verse of Sura Al-Ma’ida of the Quran is, “And whoever saves one life – it is as if he has saved all humanity.” I am surprised if anyone does not see permission for organ donation in this verse.
Fatwa in support of organ donation
Amidst the anti-organ donation voices, in recent years, many Islamic scholars and institutions have also issued fatwas in support of organ donation. In 1988, the Islamic Fiqh Academy issued a fatwa stating that organ donation is permissible to save someone’s life with the consent of the donor and his family. Scholars from the prestigious Muslim institution ‘Al-Azhar University, Egypt’ have also supported organ donation on the same conditions.
Similarly, the ‘UK Muslim Law (Sharia) Council’ has also allowed this and even said that organ donation should be encouraged as Sadaqah (charitable work) because the work which is beneficial for others even after death, Allah rewards him. Some voices have also been raised in support of organ donation among the scholars of India, which are slowly showing their impact.
Maulana Waheeduddin Khan’s viewpoint
A leading voice in favor of organ donation is the renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Waheeduddin Khan, who has written extensively on the subject. Maulana believed that organ donation is not only allowed in Islam, but it is also an act of great virtue. He saw it as ‘Sadaqa-e-Jaria’, in which the fruits of one’s good deeds continue to reach him even after his death.
He also used to say that if a person donates his organs after death and these organs provide health benefits to other people, then Allah rewards him in the next world for this act of kindness. His approach connects organ donation with Islamic values such as compassion, generosity and humanity.
Contribution of Tariq Abdullah
Another respected Islamic scholar, Tariq Abdullah has also given his opinion on this issue. Abdullah acknowledges the ethical complexities surrounding organ donation, but is in favor of encouraging it within the framework of Islamic ethics. He emphasizes that the process should be done with transparency, the wishes of the donor should be respected and complete honesty should be maintained in reaching the benefits of donation to the needy, it should not be made a business by anyone. He is soon going to start a campaign across India to encourage organ donation. This view of Tariq Abdullah reflects the growing consensus among Islamic scholars.
Personal decision
Debate over organ donation continues within the Islamic community, with many scholars agreeing that organ donation, when done according to Islamic guidelines, is a noble and compassionate act that is consistent with the values of Islam. On the other hand, there are scholars and clerics who are still opposing organ donation by terming it as ‘musla’ (distortion of the body). Musala is that inhuman act in which the dead bodies of the enemies were crushed by horses during the war. According to liberal Islamic scholars, this comparison is correct because the difference between Angadan and Musala is of intention and intention.
After all, organ donation is a very personal decision. It is important for Muslims to seek guidance from knowledgeable scholars and also contribute to the service of humanity. The moral teaching of Islam is to develop a feeling of compassion towards others in one’s heart. Allah has created man only for the sake of pain in the heart, otherwise angels were enough for worship.
Iqbal says…
“God created man for the sake of heartache.
Otherwise billions were not less for the power.