organdonation.nhs.uk 0300 123 23 23

organdonation.nhs.uk

OLC230L4.1 2012 Muslim (Urdu)

How do I become a donor? If you decide you would like to become a donor on your death, you need to join the NHS Organ Donor Register to ensure your wishes are recorded. Discuss your decision with those closest to you so that they are aware of your wishes. Adding your name to Organ donation the register is simple and quick:

You can register online at organdonation.nhs.uk and religious Or call 0300 123 23 23 beliefs

To find out more about organ and tissue donation, visit A guide to organ donation organdonation.nhs.uk and Muslim beliefs

OLC230P 2012

Islam and organ donation Therefore it is very clear that in : Islam and organ donation In Islam there are two schools of thought “ Organ donation is a very personal choice with regard to organ donation. The human and one should consider seeking the body, whether living or dead, enjoys a special opinion of a scholar of their choosing.” Organ donation When can organ honour and is inviolable, and fundamentally, Mufti Mohammed Zubair Butt, Muslim Islamic law emphasises the preservation of Council of Britain Organ donation is the gift of an organ to donation take place? human life. The general rule that ‘necessities help someone else who needs a transplant. That said, one of the fundamental purposes of Doctors and their colleagues are committed permit the prohibited’ (al-darurat tubih al- Hundreds of people’s lives are saved or Islamic law is the preservation of life. Allah to doing everything possible to save life. mahzurat), has been used to support human improved each year by organ transplants. greatly rewards those who save the life of others. Organs are only removed for transplantation organ donation with regard to saving or Organs that can be donated by people who once all attempts to save life have failed and significantly enhancing a life of another To help in this matter the reader’s attention is have died include the heart, lungs, kidneys, after death has been certified by doctors provided that the benefit outweighs the drawn to the following life-saving Fatwa: liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissue such who are entirely independent of the personal cost that has to be borne. The In 1995, the UK-based Muslim Law (Shariah) as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can transplant team. following are some verses which have been Council resolved that: also be used to help others. used to support organ donation: Most donated organs in the UK come from • the medical profession is the proper Donation is an individual choice and views people who die from a severe brain injury, “ Whosoever saves a life, it would be as authority to define signs of death differ even within the same religious groups. and who are on a ventilator in an Intensive if he saved the life of all mankind.” • current medical knowledge considers brain Care Unit. The brain injury will have Holy Qur’an, chapter 5, vs. 32 stem death to be a proper definition of Why is it important to think damaged the vital centres in the brain stem which are essential to maintain life. Doctors “ Whosoever helps another will be death about donating organs? granted help from Allah.” call this ‘brain stem death’. This is not the • the Council accepts brain stem death as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) With medical advances it is now possible to same as being in a coma or ‘persistent constituting the end of life for the purpose use transplanted organs and tissues to vegetative state’. Tests are carried out to “ If you happened to be ill and in need of organ transplantation enhance the life chances of those suffering strict guidelines to show conclusively when of a transplant, you certainly would • the Council supports organ transplantation from a range of terminal conditions such as this has happened. When brain stem death is wish that someone would help you by as a means of alleviating pain or saving life renal, liver and heart failure. More people pronounced the patient may still be on a providing the needed organ.” on the basis of the rules of the Shariah than before now suffer from these conditions ventilator, and have a heart beat which Dr MA Zaki Badawi, Principal, and some ethnic groups seem to be more continues to circulate blood around the body. Muslim College, • Muslims may carry donor cards affected than others. This prevents the organs from losing the • the next of kin of a dead person, in the The person in need of an organ today may oxygen-rich blood supply which is necessary An alternative view clearly states that: absence of a donor card or an expressed be a stranger, but tomorrow that person for a healthier transplanted outcome. “ The saving of life is not absolute, but wish to donate their organs, may give could be someone you know and love dearly. Organs can also be donated from people subject to the amount of cost that has permission to obtain organs from the body So please take the time to think about whose death has been certified because their to be borne. Therefore, although the to save other people’s lives becoming an organ donor and discuss your heart has stopped. Certification in these above quotation enjoins the saving • organ donation must be given freely without thoughts with loved ones. ‘non-heart beating’ donors is also by doctors of life this is not without restriction reward, trading in organs is prohibited who are entirely independent of the or caveats. Consent transplant team. • this is supported by Muslim scholars from “ According to a similarly large number of some of the most prestigious academies of The consent or permission of those closest to Muslim scholars organ donation is not Care and respect the Muslim world who call upon Muslims the potential donor is always sought before permitted. They consider that organ to donate organs for transplantation. These organs can be donated. This is why it is so The removal of organs and tissues is carried donation compromises the special include: important to discuss your wishes with your out with the greatest care and respect. The honour accorded to man and this cannot - the Islamic Fiqh Academy of the loved ones should you decide to become a family can see the body afterwards and staff be allowed whatever the cost. Scholars, Organisation of Islamic Conference donor. Many families who agree to organ can contact a chaplain or local religious such as the Islamic Fiqh Academy of (representing all Muslim countries) donation have said that it helps to know leader if the family wishes. India, allow live donations only. ” some good has come from their loss. Mufti Mohammed Zubair Butt, Muslim - the Grand Ulema Council of Council of Britain - the Iranian Religious Authority - the Al-Azhar Academy of