Allopathic Medicine and the Shar‘i Ruling on Un-Islamic Practices
Sourced from: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Ta‘wīdh aur Dum ke Masā’il, Volume 1, Page 469
❀ Question
Regarding the profession of becoming an allopathic doctor, the concern is that this field involves some clearly un-Islamic practices, such as:
✿ In the initial stages, frogs or other animals are dissected, whereas causing harm to frogs is considered Shar‘i-wise impermissible.
✿ Operations are performed on human corpses.
✿ Male doctors check or operate on women, and female doctors check or operate on men.
The question is: what is the Shar‘i ruling regarding these matters? Are they permissible or impermissible? Also, what is the ruling on blood or organ donation? To what extent is it Islamically valid? A detailed answer in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah is requested.
❀ Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The matters about which you have inquired are indeed those which, from the Shar‘i perspective, are considered un-Islamic. Therefore, avoidance and abstinence from them is necessary.
You yourself have mentioned in the question that:
“Becoming an allopathic doctor involves certain clearly un-Islamic factors.”
Hence, the correct approach is that one may certainly enter the field of medicine or medical practice, but must avoid all such actions and practices which are Shar‘i-wise prohibited.
❀ Summary
✿ Becoming an allopathic doctor is not, in itself, prohibited, but it is necessary to refrain from all un-Islamic practices associated with this profession.
✿ Causing pain to frogs or other animals is not permissible Shar‘i-wise; therefore, unnecessary dissections should be avoided.
✿ Experiments or operations on human corpses, if they involve disrespect or dishonor, are Shar‘i-wise forbidden.
✿ Examination or surgery between men and women, without Shar‘i necessity or compulsion, is impermissible.
✿ Blood and organ donation is also conditional upon specific Shar‘i requirements and guidelines, which scholars and jurists have detailed separately.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
