An Introduction to Islamic Bioethics
An Introduction to Islamic Bioethics Ruaim Muaygil, MD, PhD(c) Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University King SauD University & King SauD University MeDical City, RiyaDh, SauDi Arabia What this talk is NOT • An exhaustive examination of Islam, Islamic law, or Islamic bioethics. • It Does not speaK for all Muslims- in the clinic or outside. • Does not intenD to essentialize all Muslims to their religious iDentity. Islam: An Overview • The last of the 3 Abrahamic religions. • Monotheistic faith. • 2nd largest religion in the world (1.8 billion followers). • Fastest growing. • 3.3 Million Muslims in the US. Origins • 7th century Arabian peninsula- Quran revealeD to Prophet Muhammed. • Islam recognizes other prophets incluDing Abraham, Moses, anD Jesus anD unDerstanDs them to be messengers of GoD. • Muslims see their faith as the universal anD complete version of previous Abrahamic religions. The Five Pillars 1. Shahada: Faith “No GoD but GoD anD MuhammeD is the messenger of GoD.” 2. Salat: Prayer, 5 times a Day. 3. Zakat: Almsgiving (small % every year, only those who can). 4. Siyam: Fasting . During RamaDan (if able to Do so). 5. Hajj. Pilgrimage to Mecca. (once in lifetime, for those who can). Sources of Islamic Law Sharia (Righteous path) Fiqh (Deep Comprehension) • Primary source. • SeconDary source. • Quran: Divine, unaltereD, unchanging, worD of of • Deliberative, interpretive traDition that guiDes the GoD. Final revelation. formulation of laws from the sources of sharia. • Sunnah: Sayings anD actions of Prophet • MethoD of inquiry. MuhammeD. • ProDuct of human unDerstanDing anD reasoning. • Basis of ethical inquiry. • Subject to human error. • ProDuct of Divine intervention.
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