1. End of Life Issues for Muslims
APC 2010 Annual Conference
Prepared by: Kifah A. Mustapha
4/19/2010 1
2. End of Life Issues for Muslims
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3. → Believing in God - (Allah)
→ Believing in God’s Angels
→ Believing in God’s Books
→ Believing in God’s Prophets and Messengers
→ Believing in the Day of Judgment
→ Believing in Divine Predestination (Al-Qadar)
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4. “Say: He is Allah (God). The One and only. Allah (God) the
everlasting Refuge. He does not beget. Nor was he begotten.
And comparable to Him, there is none.”
Quran 112:1-4
“(O Believers!) You shall worship God (alone). And you shall
not associate anything with Him (therein).”
Quran 4:36
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5. Muslims believe that angels are pure entities,
created from light, cannot disobey God and have
no divine nature.
Muslims believe that angel’s duties are assigned by
God: Some angels bring revelation to prophets
like Gabriel, some angels record the actions of
humans, some angels only praise God, etc…
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6. Torah
“Now We have sent down to you, (O Mohammad), the
Scripture (of the Quran) with the truth, as a confirmation of all
the Scripture that preceded it – and as a guardian over it (to
preserve divine guidance).”
Quran 5:48
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7. “Say, (O Believers): We believe in (One)
God, and (in) all that has been sent down
to us (in the Quran): and (in) all that has
been sent down to Abraham, and
Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and (to)
the (prophets of the) Tribes (of Israel):
and (in) all that was given to Moses and
(to) Jesus: and (in) all that was given to
(all) the (other) prophets from their Lord.
We do not differentiate (in Faith) between
any of them. Thus are we Muslims, in
willing submission to Him (alone).”
Quran 21:36
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8. → Muslims believe that all humans will stand for trial at
the Day of Judgment.
→ Rewarded in Heaven shall be those who were righteous,
and punished in Hell shall be those who were evil.
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9. Knowledge: Muslims believe that God (Allah) has full
knowledge of everything in the universe whether minor or
major.
Written Destiny: Muslims believe that God (Allah) has
recorded everything in a Book that was kept with Him in
Heaven: it is called “The Preserved Book”.
Divine Will: Muslims believe that nothing happens but by
God’s (Allah) permission and Will. It is when God (Allah)
wishes something it happens.
Creation: Muslims believe that Allah is the sole creator of
all creation and that He endowed them with their attributes
and abilities.
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10. → The Witness (Shahadah)
→ The Prayers (Salat)
→ The Charity (Zakat)
→ The Fasting (Sawm)
→ The Pilgrimage (Hajj)
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11. Simply by saying with conviction,
that you bear witness to:
“La ilaha illa Allah,
Mohammedan Rasoolullah”
One becomes a Muslim.
“I bear witness that there is no God but Allah,
And I bear witness that Mohammad
is the Messenger of Allah.”
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12. → The Five daily prayers regulate a
Muslim’s day.
→ Prayers are performed at dawn,
noon, afternoon, sunset and night.
→ Prayer in Islam is a direct link
between the worshipper and God.
→ Muslims face Mecca in their prayers.
→ Prayers involve ablution (wudu),
calling to prayer (athan), standing,
bowing, prostrating, sitting
postures.
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13. TWO kinds of charities in Islam:
the obligatory and the voluntary.
The obligatory charity
is called ZAKAT.
while the voluntary charity
is called SADAQAH.
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14. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic
calendar. A month of increased prayer, fasting,
charity and good deeds.
Muslims are ordered to fast by the Quran:
“Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to
you as it was prescribed to those before you,
that you may (learn) self-restraint”.
Quran 2:183
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15. → It is mandatory on every Muslim
once during their lifetime.
→ Only those who are financially
unable to afford the expense and/or
ill people are excused from this trip.
→ One of the greatest expressions
of unity in the world.
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16. End of Life Issues for Muslims
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17. Demographics
Muslims in USA
Clergy
Role of Mosques
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18. → 1.57 billion Muslims worldwide
(almost ¼ of the world’s population)
→ 57 countries with Muslims as a
majority of the population, including
22 Arab countries.
→ Only 18-20% of Muslims are Arabs
→ Country with the largest Muslim
population is Indonesia.
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19. → Gallup reveals that Muslim
Americans are the most
racially diverse religious group
surveyed in the USA.
→ Muslims are estimated to
be between 7 to 8 million in
the USA.
→ Islam is one of the
growing religions in followers.
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4/19/2010
20. Imam – is the person who can lead the
prayer in Arabic and has basic
knowledge in Islam
Sheikh – is the person who has solid
knowledge about Islam and serves the
religious needs of people.
Scholar – is the person who can
interpret the text and make rulings or
judgments.
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21. → Mosques are places where Muslims meet to offer prayers to God.
→ Mosques could be major buildings with minarets and domes or
they could be simple rented places.
→ Services offered at Mosques include, prayers, funerals,
arbitration, marriages, divorces, counseling, youth activities, voter
registration, religious education, civic and social services, etc…
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22. End of Life Issues for Muslims
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23. → Muslims believe that their main purpose
in life is to worship God at all times.
→ Muslims understand that life is a test
that can be of many dimensions including
sickness, death, loss of property, etc…
→ Muslims honor life as an investment in
righteous deeds even when sick or ill.
→ A Muslim when encountering illness or
hardships of any type would be urged to see
it as a sign of love from God.
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24. → The Sacredness of Life
→ A Muslim should Seek Cure
→ Allah is the Healer
→ Healing in recitation of the Quran
→ General Rules of Islamic Medical Ethics
→ Mercy Killing!
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25. → In Islam life is considered a gift from God.
No one has the right to harm life but through
a court of law based on a crime that makes the
person liable for punishment.
→ Saving a life is one of the most honorable
things a person can do and it is considered as
if humanity is being saved.
Allah said: “and whoever saves a life, it shall
be (reckoned) as though he has saved the life
of all humankind.”
Quran 5:32
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26. Seeking cure in time of illness is something that Islam urges.
The prophet (PBUH) said:
“Allah has created illness and Allah has created cure; so (seek) cure.”
Hadith narrated by Ibn Abdel Birr
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27. Muslims understand that all healing
is in the Hand of God and that
medicine or seeking cure is just the
tool.
Allah said: (on behalf of Abraham):
{and He is the One who feeds me and
gives me drink. And when I become
ill, He (is the one who) heals me.}
Quran 26:79-80
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28. Muslims believe in the healing power of the
words of God when recited next to an ill
person.
“Thus do We send down (in the verses) of the
Quran that which is healing (for body and
soul), and a mercy to the believers.”
Quran 17:82
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29. → Harm should not be removed by
causing another equivalent harm
or bigger.
→ Necessity overrides prohibition.
→ Removing harm has priority over
bringing benefit.
→ Public interest overrides individual
interest.
→ Harm is removed as needed.
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30. Ending the life of an ill person for
the purpose of easing his pain
(mercy killing) is not allowed in
Islam.
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31. Social support is seen as an act of worship in Islam:
The prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah said in the Holy Hadith;
O son of Adam, I (God) was ill and you did not visit me!
(The servant) will say: my Lord, how would I visit You and You
are the Lord of all that exists! (Allah) will say: Didn’t you know
that my servant (so & so) got sick and you didn’t visit him!
Didn’t you know, that if you had visited him you would have
found Me by him!”
Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim.
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32. → Short visits.
→ Supplications to the ill person.
→ Optimistic words.
→ Offering support and help for the family.
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33. Although illness is considered as
one of the reasons to ease the
practices of Islam, there are still
some practices that should be
performed in a matter that does
not burden the person or worsen
his/her condition.
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34. In case of illness that prevents a person from
standing for prayer, it is permissible to pray
while sitting or even laying down.
“Those who remember Allah (always, and in
prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on
their sides, and think deeply about the creation
of the heavens and earth.”
Quran 3:191
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35. When praying, Muslims face the direction of the
city of Mecca. Which is Northeast in the USA.
Allah said: “We have seen the turning of your
(Muhammad’s) face towards the heaven. Surely,
We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction)
that shall please you, so turn your face in the
direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Mecca).
And where so ever you people are, turn your
faces (in prayer) in that direction.”
Quran 2:144
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36. End of Life Issues for Muslims
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37. Due to different schools of thought in Islam and the
different cultures that Muslims represent, you might
experience some differences in how people practice their
religious life.
Gender Relations Dietary Restrictions
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38. → It is appropriate to keep physical space when dealing with
members of the Muslim community.
→ Some Muslims may be uncomfortable with gestures that include
any touching, especially from the opposite gender.
→ While speaking to Muslims of the opposite gender, you may
notice that some will avoid direct eye contact.
→ Many Muslims are reluctant to shake hands with the opposite sex.
→ Muslim women may want to keep their bodies covered.
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39. YES
NO
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40. Muslims balance between the reality of death that affect their life
emotionally through loss and grief and between the fact that no one
is immortal.
Muslims cope with death and seek healing through faith and patience.
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41. Muslims recognize that God
(Allah) is the One who granted
us life and thus He is the One
who is in control of our death.
Muslims look at death as a
moment of submission to the
Will of God (Allah).
Muslims believe that each
person is returning to His Lord
at time of death.
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42. Kalimah
Sacred Mosque Quran Closing Eyes Announcing His Death
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43. Muslims are urged to offer condolences
and help for the family of the deceased.
The prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever offers his brother the believer
condolences because of an affliction,
Allah will cover (dress) him of the
honorable garments at the Day of
Judgment.”
Hadith narrated by Imam Ibn Asaker
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44. Wakes in Islam are meant to be simple, non costly and a chance for the
grieving family to find support by the presence of people offering
condolences.
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45. Quick Burial Visit Family or Friends
Offer Prayers
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46. There are certain
things to be done
before burying a
Muslims body.
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47. Every Muslim must be given a The body after the wash must be
bath before burial. covered with sheets of cloth
covering all the body.
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48. Each deceased body
must be honored by
performing prayers
on their behalf.
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49. End of Life Issues for Muslims
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50. → Pulling the Plug
→ Brain Death
→ Vegetative State
→ Organ Donations
→ Autopsies
→ Abortions
→ Power of Attorney
→ Writing a Will
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51. Death is defined when the soul is
separated from the body.
Since this is something that cannot be
verified by senses, scholars of Islam
referred to death as when:
1. The heart stopped working.
2. No more breathing.
3. Relaxation of body parts while body
being cold.
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52. The Muslim Law (Sharia) Council of Great Britain resolved that:
“The medical profession is the proper authority to define signs of
death. The current medical knowledge considers brain stem death
to be a proper definition of death. The Council accepts brain stem
death as constituting the end of life.”
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53. Although many Scholars of Islam
limit their approval to remove
machines only on those declared
brain dead, some other scholars
and medical Muslim professionals
have a different view.
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54. Under the same concept of
the sacredness of life, Islam
urges Muslims to save lives
even if it means to donate
organs from one body to
another but with conditions.
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55. 1. Harm (in the patient) should not be removed by causing an
equivalent or bigger harm (for the one to donate).
2. Harm (in the patient) should be removed as needed.
3. If artificial organs can be used then there shall be no need for
human organs.
4. Honoring life prohibits the business and profit intentions
behind donating organs.
5. Honoring life means prohibiting the donation of any organ
that will disfigure the shape of the body.
6. Honoring the free choice of each person means that personal
approval should be obtained legally before death.
7. Honoring the body by burial means, donating organs should
not delay the process of burial only if required by law.
8. Honoring the body means that female bodies should be
exposed to females only and male bodies for males only as
much as possible.
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56. Autopsies are only permitted
under the concept of necessity.
Honoring the human life is
respected during life and after
death.
If performing autopsies conditions
do apply.
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57. 1. A legitimate reason must be valid.
2. The consent of the deceased is required
before his/her death if the autopsy was for
research purpose.
3. Consultation with Muslims Scholars is required
for the final approval.
4. Autopsies should be limited to what is needed.
5. Disfiguring the body is prohibited.
The prophet (PBUH) said:
“breaking the bones of a dead person is like
breaking the bones of a live one.”
Hadith narrated by Imam Abu Daoud
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58. Islam did not allow abortion after the real
existence of the fetus in his mother’s womb.
Scholars of Islam have different views on when
to declare that the life of the infant exists.
Some scholars declare that life starts after
(intercourse) or fertilization happens.
According to their view no abortion is allowed
after that at all unless the life of the mother is
in danger.
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59. 1. Abortions before 42 days is allowed with
approval of both parents.
2. Abortion between 42 and 120 days is
allowed only in these cases:
a. In case of rape or adultery
b. In case of proven medical major
disability for the infant.
c. In case of harm of the mother’s life.
3. Abortion after 120 days is only allowed if
it harms the mother’s life.
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60. In Islam it is urged for every Muslim
to write his will before he dies.
The prophet (PBUH) said:
“the true fact of every Muslim that
he owns something (worth) of
(writing) a will, (should not) sleep
for two nights but his will is written
(and) with him.”
Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari
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