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Fatwa CenterWithdrawing Artificial Life Support
Question
What is the religious ruling on ending a patient's life by ceasing artificial life support, especially in the following three cases: if the illness is chronic with no hope of recovery, with hope of recovery, and with hope of a recovery about which doctors differ in opinion.
What should I do as a (male) nurse in these cases that may violate the sharia since I do not have a say in the decision. I appreciate any further information in this regard as this will be helpful to many people.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
The preponderant scholarly opinion in our view is that it is absolutely impermissible to cease active life support by withdrawing it from a brain dead patient. However, if the person chooses to follow the other scholarly opinion suggesting the permissibility of such an act, then there is no harm in doing so. However, if he acknowledges the impermissibility of this act, then it is forbidden for him to do such a thing. He should not obey anyone’s orders in this case because he believes that this act is prohibited. This ruling applies in all cases in which a person is enjoined to do something. There is no obedience to creatures in what constitutes disobedience to the Creator, as according to the authentic hadith.
Allah knows best.
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