Religion and Healthcare – Islam

The following answers were compiled with information from Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, a practicing Muslim and family physician at St. Joseph's Health Centre, in Toronto, Ontario.

Q: What is the Islamic philosophy concerning health and well-being?

A: Historically, Muslim physicians and scientists made major healthcare discoveries long before they were realized in the West. In combination with the will of God, Muslims believe that physicians have the power to heal. The Koran states that for every illness there is a cure, so it is the challenge of healthcare professionals to search for those cures. The Koran also gives explicit instructions for living hygienically, including habits like tooth brushing, exercising, breast-feeding, and hand washing. There is a high respect for healthcare professionals in the faith – physicians are considered to be God's agents of healing and nurses to be the helpers of doctors. Muslim's also believe that healthcare is holistic.

As well as differences in opinion between religious leaders, there may be different approaches to healthcare between the Sunni and Shia sects.

Q: Does Islam have any dietary restrictions?

A: Muslims follow the Halaal diet, which prohibits the consumption of pork and alcohol. Also, there is a traditional diet that advises one-third food, one-third water, and one-third air, as a form of dietary moderation. Today, not many people follow this diet.

Q: Does Islam have a history of traditional or herbal medicine?

A: Traditional Arabic doctors are known as Hakims. The name literally means "wise and knowledgeable person." The practice of a Hakim usually includes aspects of herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, and other similar practices. In modern times, it is considered to be noble to become a doctor or healthcare professional.

Q: Are there treatments or medications, which are refused by Muslims?

A: Some Muslim physicians believe that healthcare practitioners should do everything in their power to save a life. Others do not believe in prolonging life beyond that which God has ordained – there should be no attempt to artificially prolong life (or misery). Healthcare professionals are believed to be assisting God in the care of patients but should not try to replace God. There is great emphasis on the sanctity of life, but also on the reality of death and the will of God.

However, Muslim's also believe there is a cure for every disease. Even the implantation of a pig's heart may be considered acceptable, if it is a medical necessity. Also alcohol or pig-based medications can be used if there are not other comparable alternatives and the medications are deemed to be medically necessary.

Q: What is the Islamic position on the following?

A: Blood transfusions: It is fine – both to give and receive.

Organ transplant/organ donation: Providing that no sale of the organ is involved and that the person's life is in jeopardy without the transplant, organ transplants are acceptable from animals to humans or from one living person to another. However, some Muslims take offence to receiving the organ of a dead person, since it involves the desecration of a dead body. Similarly, some people do not want to donate their organs because of their belief in the sanctity of the body, while other people are happy to do so because it helps others.

Sexual enhancing drugs (i.e., Viagra): It is acceptable in order to fix an impotency problem within a marriage but not in order to become promiscuous or to become disrespectful to one's wife.

Birth Control: It is fine to take birth control. Muslims live in many different countries – some where the system may not be as open. In North America, most Muslims do not have a problem with using contraceptives.

Abortion: Abortion is only allowable in cases where the mother's life is in jeopardy.

Euthanasia: Physician-assisted suicide is considered murder.

Autopsies: As mentioned before, there is a tradition of respect for the body, so many people believe it should be tampered with as little as possible. In general, Muslims resist autopsies but will consent if there is a compelling reason for one.

Q: What should a healthcare professional know about a Muslim's view of death?

A: There is a death ritual as well as a ritual for preparing the body for burial. It might be religious figures who would take on this procedure or hospital orderlies.

Background on Islam There are more than one billion Muslims worldwide and they are divided into two sects – Sunni and Shiite. Eighty-five to 90% of all Muslims follow the Sunni tradition, which mainly differs from the Shiite tradition in its approach to governance. All Muslims, however, believe in one God, Allah, and follow the word of the Koran. According to Muslim tradition, the Koran was created after a final revelation from Allah to Muhammad, who is the Prophet of Islam and was thought to be the final prophet in a string of others including Buddha, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims submit to Allah through five pillars or requirements: believing in one God, Allah; praying five times a day; giving alms to the poor; fasting from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan; and making the pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, once in their lifetime. For more information see the Islamic Medical Association of North America.

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