Download Essay - ``Islamic ethical.

Copyright 2009 (Elias)
Discuss Islamic ethical teachings in ONE area. Choose from bioethics;
environmental ethics; sexual ethics. (20 Marks)
Ethical teachings play a significant role in the life of each Muslim and their daily
practices. The constant desire to achieve permanent consciousness and awareness
of Allah (Taqwa) as well as complete submission provides the foundation for all
Islamic teachings, especially those concerning bioethics. The ultimate goal of Islam
is to gain complete submission to Allah (Tawhid) and to fulfill his duty. Tawhid is
the foundational belief for all bioethical issues. This motivation means Islam is a
constant in each Muslim’s life and influences their actions and decisions. Similarly,
the belief of the afterlife and the fact that all individuals will be called to account
before Allah impresses the need for strict adherence to the ethical instructions of
Allah in order to ‘enter paradise’.
Islamic bioethical decision-making is carried out within a framework of values
derived from revelation and tradition. It is intimately linked to the broad ethical
teachings of the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, and thus to
the interpretation of Islamic law. Through consultation of the processes of Islamic
jurisprudence and therefore the Qur’an, Sunna, consensus (Iijma) and analogy
(Qiyas); a Muslim is able to determine a ‘right’ or moral decision concerning a
range of bioethical issues. Such issues include the morality of abortion, euthanasia
and In-vitro fertilization (IVF). The constant ‘struggle’ of Jihad, exists in each
individual Muslim adherent to research and act upon an ethically informed decision,
in sight of Islamic teachings.
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Abortion refers to the premature, intentional termination of the life of a fetus.
According to Muslim authorities, abortion interferes with God’s role as the author
of life and death. The Qur’an says nothing about abortion itself, nor do the Hadith
and Sunna. Rather, prohibition is based on analogy and interpretations of Hadith
applied to Qur’an verses, specifically the injunction against killing. “Slay not your
children…the killing of them is a great sin” (Surah 17:13) Abortion is not
permitted unless pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. A significant number
of Islamic jurists make a case that the fetus is not ‘ensouled’ or created, until 120
days after conception. Others say that no one really knows the answer to this
question accept Allah. Therefore the fetus is a potential human life from the
moment of conception, and should receive all the protection and rights of human
life. On the whole, abortion is forbidden because it denies the sanctity of life,
because it is created by Allah.
Euthanasia is defined as the deliberate ending of a human life in order to ‘release’
them from suffering, sickness or disability. “Do not take life, which Allah made
sacred, other than in the course of justice” (Qur’an 17:33). Muslims are against
euthanasia. They believe that all human life is sacred because it is given by Allah,
and that Allah chooses how long each person will live. Islamic scholarly
interpretations of the Qur’an propose that suffering is a divinely ordained trial
which reveals God’s purpose for humanity. Whatever hardship one must face, if
done with patience, it will increase your position with Allah. “For those who suffer
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will truly receive reward without measure” (Qur’an). Muslims are encouraged to
maintain a positive/ optimistic attitude to their pain or illness and to push through
adversity. Helping the sick is an act of charity and compassion which demonstrates
real submission to Allah. Islamic law says it is only permissible to turn off the life
support if the individual is brain dead (Islamic Law Council of Muslim World
League 1987).
Another bioethical issue which has emerged in previous years is the process of Invitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is a technique in which egg cells are fertilized by sperm
outside the woman’s womb. The procedure is acceptable and commendable to
Islam but only if it solely involves husband and wife and if it is performed during
the span of their marriage. Sunni Muslims are prohibited from using donor eggs or
sperm, and surrogacy is also forbidden. The Shi’ia position is less strict – it permits
the use of donor eggs and even donor sperm, only under certain circumstances.
The Qur’an state: “Necessity makes possible what is forbidden” (2:173).
Therefore, when it comes to assisted reproduction, Islam offers total support; when
natural procreation fails, the treatment is seen as the couple’s duty and Islamic laws
forbid adoption. “He does not regard your adopted sons as your own sons”
(Surah 33). In the case of divorce or the death of the husband, artificial
insemination cannot be made with the husband’s sperm. Essentially, any medical
procedure which involves a donor is considered adultery.
Therefore it can be seen through the issues of abortion, euthanasia and IVF, Islam
holds strong ethical teachings, especially concerning bioethics which heavily
influence the lives of adherents. Various overriding concepts such as Tawhid, Jihad
& al-Akira (afterlife) exist as foundational beliefs regulating bioethical issues. Such
Copyright 2009 (Elias)
teachings are sourced through jurisprudence, either directly from the Qur’an or
Sunna, or through consensus and analogy.