As a muslim can you donate organs?

What is the ruling on donating organs?

Question:

What is the ruling on donating organs?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Donating organs is not all on one level. There is the donation of organs on which life depends, and there is the donation of organs on which life does not depend.

If the donation is of an organ on which life depends, such as the heart or liver, it is not permissible to donate it, according to the consensus of the scholars, because that is killing a soul.

But if it is an organ on which life does not depend, such as a kidney or blood vessels, then there is a difference of opinion among contemporary scholars, and there are two views on this matter:

1 – That it is permissible to transplant human organs

2 – That it is not permissible to transplant human organs

Fatwas stating that it is permissible have been issued by a number of conferences, seminars and committees, including: the International Islamic Conference held in Malaysia; the majority of the Islamic Fiqh Council, whose fatwa may be seen in the answer to question no. 2117; the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the Fatwa Committees in Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt and Algeria.

It is also the view of a number of scholars and researchers, including Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Sa’di.

Some of the scholars favoured the view that transplants are permissible on condition that the donor is a harbi kaafir (i.e., one who is in a state of war against Islam, not one with whom the Muslims have a treaty, or who is living under Muslim protection), because the harbi kaafir has no sanctity, whereas the sanctity of the Muslim is established in life and in death.

For more information see the book Ahkaam al-Jaraahah al-Tibbiyyah by Shaykh Muhammad al-Mukhtaar al-Shanqeeti, pp. 354-391

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

"Organ donation is permitted in Islam if it is done within the permissible limits prescribed by the Shari`ah.

The following are the conditions scholars have stipulated for donation:

Conditions associated with a living donor:

1. He/she must be a person who is in full possession of his/her faculties so that he/she is able to make a sound decision by himself/herself;

2. He/she must be an adult and, preferably, at least twenty-one years old;

3. It should be done on his/her own free will without any external pressure exerted on him/ her;

4. The organ he/she is donating must not be a vital organ on which his/her survival or sound health is dependent upon;

5. No transplantation of sexual organs is allowed.

Conditions associated with deceased donors:

1. It must be done after having ascertained the free consent of the donor prior to his /her death. It can be through a will to that effect, or signing the donor card, etc.

2. In a case where organ donation consent was not given prior to a donor’s death, the consent may be granted by the deceased’s closest relatives who are in a position to make such decisions on his/her behalf.

3. It must be an organ or tissue that is medically determined to be able to save the life or maintain the quality of life of another human being.

4. The organ must be removed only from the deceased person after the death has been ascertained through reliable medical procedures.

5. Organs can also be harvested from the victims of traffic accidents if their identities are unknown, but it must be done only following the valid decree of a judge."

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, states the following:

“This question is very much debated by the jurists in past two decades. The Supreme Council of `Ulama in Riyadh (in their resolution no. 99 dated 6 Dhul Qi'dah 1402) has allowed both organ donation and organ transplantation in the case of necessity.

The organ can be taken from the body of a living person with his/her consent and approval and also from the body of a dead person. In the case of a living person, the jurists have stipulated that this donation should not deprive him/her of vital organs. It should also not cause risk to his/her normal life.

The Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League, Makkah also allowed organ donation and transplantation in its 8th session held between 28 Rabi'ul Thani- 7 Jumadal Ula, 1405.

The Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah, during the year 1408, and the Mufti of Egypt Dr. Sayyed At-Tantawi also allowed the use of the body organs of a person who has died in an accident, if the necessity requires the use of any organ to cure a patient, provided that a competent and trustworthy Muslim physician makes this decision.

It is important to note that most of the jurists have only allowed the donation of the organs. They do not allow the sale of human organs. Their position is that the sale of human organs violates the rules of the dignity and honor of the human being, and so it would be haram in that case.

Some jurists suggest that because people have become too materialistic and it may not be possible to find a free organ, under necessity one can purchase the organs, but a Muslim should never sell his/her organs.”

So, in short, yes, as long as you life isn't affected too much by it.

Once you are dead I was told by 3 sheikhs that yes you can. One of the theree sheikhs said it has to go to muslims only but the other do said no to anyone. Ask your local sheikh.

Very good question! I would have never thought to ask that.

yes of course we can, it's our duty to save the others

are you a damn Muslim ,when you get to heaven bay, you want need anything you will be made whole (thats new) I f you dont understand. You dont use your brain because dead people have to go to heaven to and they dont have any organs so am guessing that God is going to give them new ones read the Bible. How are you going to ask a question relating to the Bible and you dont read the Bible.

nnnnn....

I dunno