Project Reports

Report of RTD on Human Organ Transplantation: Islamic Perspective


The MUSLIM Institute, Islamabad based research think tank, organized a Round Table Discussion on the topic “Human Organ Transplantation: Islamic Perspective” under its "Islamic Shari'ah, Fiqh & Jurisprudence Desk".

Research Associate MUSLIM Institute Muhammad Sher AlQadri, Chairman Islamabad Medical & Dental College Dr. Ghulam Akbar Niazi and Former Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr. Khalid Masood were speakers on the occasion. The Round Table Discussion was attended by academicians, researchers, analysts, representatives of think-tanks and participants from different universities.

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Mufti Sher AlQadri
Research Associate, MUSLIM Institute

Introducing the topic, Muhammad Sher AlQadri, Research Associate MUSLIM Institute, said that Islam is a religion of nature with absolute benefaction for humanity. All injunctions of Islam are for human success in this world as well as in life hereafter and for physical and spiritual welfare of humanity. Issues have been discussed in the Holy Quran and Holy Hadith with the view of human good and bliss. Orders of Shariah are also relaxed or even changed, so to say, for a sick or incapacitated person. For example, in extreme illness a person can offer prayers with signs only. In case of severe danger, things which are otherwise forbidden, like blood, dead or even haram become permissible. In normal circumstances, transfusion of one person’s blood to another person is not allowed. However in a life threatening situation religious scholars have declared it permissible. Nonetheless for merely enhancing physical attraction or strength, the same is forbidden. As for as organ transplant is concerned, there is consensus among religious scholars that an incapacitated person is allowed to use an artificial organ made of wood or metal. Similarly there is no harm in transplant of a person’s own organ or its part in his own body. In direly critical situations, transplant of even an animal organ into human body is allowed. With regard to transplant of one person’s organ or its part into another person’s body, religious scholars have two opinions. One group considers this kind of transplant as impermissible, while the other group treats voluntary donation of an organ for a genuinely needy person, as a noble act to be rewarded in life hereafter. However in such a situation, life of the donator must not be under threat after donation, while life threatening condition of the person whom donated organ is being transplanted, has to be established in the opinion of an expert doctor. However organ transplant without such a motive or need is not right. Similarly, resorting to an option which otherwise is not allowed does not become legitimate as long as permissible options are available.

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Dr. Ghulam Akber Niazi
Chairman Islamabad Medical & Dental College

Chairman Islamabad Medical & Dental College Dr. Ghulam Akbar Niazi, expressing his views, stated that the topic of RTD is very comprehensive from medical perspective. Blood transfusion is quite common these days. Blood donation and preservation are considered noble deed as same save lives. Likewise voluntary organs donation and transplant are right for saving someone’s life. However some elements are involved in trade of human organs, which is wrong. Unfortunately, sometime even doctors remove an organ of patient without his knowledge or consent and then use the same in transplant. Such practice is also illegal. Laws have been formulated to discourage commercialization of organ donation and transplant.

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Dr. Khalid Masood
Former Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology

Former Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr. Khalid Masood said that in the past knowledge about the instant issue was limited as medical field was previously not as advanced as it is now a days. This necessitates debate on the issue for formulating laws and also to engage experts of medical knowledge in the process as opinion of religious scholars alone would not be sufficient to address it comprehensively. We need to carry out ijtihad to face emerging challenges of this nature. Besides, masses are to be engaged in the process to avoid conflict of opinion and to ensure consensus. Furthermore ethical teachings are also to be taken into account. If we take up the issue of human organ transplant, laws to be formulated on the subject need to have consensus and be in line with ethics. Without these two integral components, these laws may lose their impact. Hence we should approach this issue with consensus and ethics.

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