Question.
I am curious to know whether Islam prohibits/permits the idea of 'connecting' someone to a machine in order to prolong their life? What if they have cancer, is chemotherapy haram? Is it also haram if papers are signed in order to take that person off the machines so that they can die in peace, since the patient was a 'vegetable' and it seems more humane to take them off the machine? Islamically, what do you think is morally the right thing to do?
Answer.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
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Responding to the question, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, states the following:
"Life support is a method for the treatment of a patient. If a patient is in a condition where the artificial life support can help improve his/her condition, then it should be used. However, if a group of doctors determine that there was no hope of any improvement in the condition of the patient or if the patient became brain-dead. In that case, if the doctors and the family members agree to take the patient off of the life support, then it can be removed. We should let nature take its own course and allow the person to expire according to their determined time by Allah.
For the Chemotherapy, I don't see any reason to prohibit it. It cures many patients, so if it is required, then it should be used."
You can also read:
Islam's Stance on Euthanasia
Euthanasia
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!
May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.
Allah Almighty knows best.