In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Medical practice is one of the noblest professions, as it concerns the essence of human life. Its primary objective is to safeguard health, enhance physical well-being, and prevent the risk of illness (by the Will of Allah). The demand for medical care is great indeed, as individuals require it in various circumstances. Good health is essential for performing tasks and fulfilling obligations in this life, which underscores the very purpose of human existence. Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)]. [51:56]

Therefore, the primary objective of medicine is to maintain health, enhance the physical condition of the body, and protect it from disease. One of the great merits of medicine is its role in preserving life, which is one of the five necessities that Islam safeguards, namely: religion, life, intellect, honour and wealth. Medicine serves to assist both individuals and society in averting harm. It is well known that the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” [Ibn Majah 2341]

It represents the fulfillment of the duty to co-operate in righteousness and piety from a different perspective. In this context, the doctor embodies Allah’s command:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ

Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety).. [5:2]

It represents the fulfilment of the Messenger’s statement found in the hadith of Usamah Bin Sharik, who said: A Bedouin said, “O Messenger of Allah! Should we seek medical treatment?” He replied: 

“Seek medical treatment, for Allah has not created any disease except that He has also created a remedy for it, except for one disease: old age”. [Abu Dawud Number 3855]

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, referred to old age as a disease – the weakness of old age; but not one of the diseases that are transient ailments due to the different physical features and changing atmospheres; but rather, old age is likened to disease because it brings harm and diseases that may be followed by death. [a]

The doctor should hope for the reward and (good) recompense from Allah, being sincere in their profession and not engage in the practice of medicine solely for the sake of recognition; rather, their commitment should be sincere, with a focus on seeking Allah’s reward. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Actions are (judged) by intentions and every person will have what he intended. So he whose migration was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger. And he whose migration was for some worldly (gain) or for a woman to marry, then his migration is to that for which he migrated”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

A doctor must fear Allah concerning the matters for which they are sought for advice, particularly those pertaining to the rights of individuals. This includes situations where a patient requests a medical certificate for illness, seeks documentation to verify their fitness for work, or inquires about specific medications. This also includes assessments regarding a woman’s health status to determine if she can safely use contraception to prevent pregnancy, or if her condition necessitates the removal of her ovaries. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The consultee is in a position of trust”. [Sahih Abu Dawud 5128]

The “Consultee” is the person whose opinion is sought concerning a matter of Maslahah, which pertains to issues that brings about benefit and prevent harm. This individual holds a position of trust regarding the inquiries made of him, and it is impermissible to mislead the the one seeking advice by withholding information that could bring about beneficial outcomes. [b]

This hadith is an evidence, showing that the consultee has to (advise) with the course of action and opinion -in relation to the consultation – that which he would do for himself. And it is not permissible that he directs his Muslim brother to something he would not be pleased with for himself. [c]

The Muslim doctor must refrain from using the patient as a subject for testing the efficacy of a medication, particularly if there is concern regarding significant adverse effects. Such experimentation would undermine the dignity that Allah has granted to the children of Adam. Allah said:

وَلَقَدۡ كَرَّمۡنَا بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَرَزَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَـٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ ڪَثِيرٍ۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَا تَفۡضِيلاً۬

And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-Taiyibat(lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference]. [Al-Is’raa 70]

This deed negates the command to safeguard the blood of a Muslim. The Prophet said: “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of discomfort, Allah will bring him out of a discomfort from the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection”. [Al-Bukhari 2442]

If the Muslim doctor is confident that the potential harm from the medication is less than the harm resulting from the persistence of the illness, it is permissible to administer the medication, as it involves selecting the lesser of two harms. The doctor should consult with scholars concerning matters pertinent to their profession and to refrain from engaging in issues without a solid understanding of Shariah. Caution should be exercised regarding the irrationalities and misleading perspectives of Freud, as well as the theories of Darwin, to avoid being misled by their assertions. [d] The Prophet said:

“A slave (of Allah) may utter a word which pleases Allah, without giving it much importance, and because of that Allah will raise him to degrees (of reward); a slave (of Allah) may utter a word (carelessly) which displeases Allah, without thinking of its gravity, and because of that he will be thrown into the Hell-fire”. [Al-Bukhari 6478]

The Muslim doctor must exercise caution regarding the information disseminated in medical journals and textbooks, refraining from accepting all content without verifying its accuracy. Knowledge is fundamentally established through either reliable transmission or a well-founded perspective. It is essential to scrutinise the medical practices attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to ensure the authenticity of their chains of transmission. Additionally, medical knowledge derived from opinions, such as those obtained through research and study, should be critically evaluated to determine their validity, potential flaws, or any moral implications. The doctor should not become a willing agent for those who oppose the tenets of Islam and seek to undermine the well-being of Muslims. Instead, he must recognise that all contemporary medical information requires thorough investigation and validation.

A doctor must recognise that their medical knowledge serves merely as a tool for healing. The outcomes and efficacy of that healing are finally in the hands of Allah, who determines whether to grant recovery and wellness. Allah stated that Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, said:

وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

And when I am ill, it is He (Allah) who cures me.

Therefore, Allah is the one who gives cure and not others. The doctor should make this known to the patient. They should be pleased with Allah’s Divine Will and Decree. Abdullah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said:

“Once I was riding behind the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, so he said: ‘O young man! I shall teach you some words (of advice). Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask Allah (Alone). If you seek help, seek help from Allah (alone). Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit with anything except that which Allah has already recorded for you. If they gather to harm you by something, they would not be able to harm you by anything except what Allah has already recorded against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried’’. [at-Tirmidhee 20516]

So neither should a doctor be beguiled by their medicine nor express objections to the power and position of their Lord (Allah). They should know that the affairs of the creation alternate based on Allah’s decrees.

 An Excerpt from Akhlaq at-Tabib Al-Muslim pages 4- 18

[a] Tuhfah Al-Ahwadhee 6/159

[b] Mirqaat Al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masaabee 4/259

[c] Awnul Ahadis Samadi, Sharhu Al-Adab Al-Mufrad’ 1/283 By Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[d]http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/juvtbpd-understanding-the-two-definitions-of-science-and-scientific-enquiry.cfm