What does Islam have to say about mercy-killing? (for that of humans and also animals)
system
April 30, 2006, 7:29pm
2
Re: Mercy-Killing
As far as humans go, i'd think its disallowed. The man who kills is a murder, and the man who dies perhaps commits suicide ?
I`d like someone more knowledgeable to respond to this though.
Re: Mercy-Killing
Mercy Killing is not allowed for humans. I am not sure about animals.
WaSalaam
Re: Mercy-Killing
^ Can you please provide the verse(s) from the Quran or Hadith from which you got that information?
Re: Mercy-Killing
“On that account We ordained for the children of Israel that if anyone slay a person -unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people” (Quran 5:32)
“Take not life which Allah made sacred otherwise than in the course of justice” (Quran 6:151 and 17:33)
The Shari’a listed and specified the indications for taking life (ie. the exceptions to the general rule of sanctity of human life), and they do not include mercy killing or make allowance for it. Human life per se is a value to be respected unconditionally, irrespective of other circumstances. The concept of a life not worthy of living does not exist in Islam. Justification of taking life to escape suffering is not acceptable in Islam. Prophet Mohammad taught: “There was a man in older times who had an infliction that taxed his patience, so he took a knife, cut his wrist and bled to death. Upon this God said: My subject hastened his end, I deny him paradise.” During one of the military campaigns one of the Muslims was killed and the companions of the prophet kept praising his gallantry and efficiency in fighting, but, to their surprise, the Prophet commented, “His lot is hell.” Upon inquiry, the companions found out that the man had been seriously injured so he supported the handle of his sword on the ground and plunged his chest onto its tip, committing suicide. The Islamic Code of Medical Ethics endorsed by the First International Conference on Islamic Medicine (Islamic Organization of Medical Sciences, Kuwait, 1981, p.65) includes: “Mercy killing, like suicide, finds no support except in the atheistic way of thinking that believes that our life on this earth is followed by void. The claim of killing for painful hopeless illness is also refuted, for there is no human pain that cannot be largely conquered by medication or by suitable neurosurgery…”.
WaSalaam
Re: Mercy-Killing
Euthanasia comes under murder in Islam…
Re: Mercy-Killing
^ Yea that's actually what had come to mind, which is why I asked this question.
sadiq - thanks man. :)
So even if someone is hurt really badly on a battlefield and there's no chance of their survival, you still can't put them out of their misery?
Re: Mercy-Killing
^ Yea that's actually what had come to mind, which is why I asked this question.
sadiq - thanks man. :)
So even if someone is hurt really badly on a battlefield and there's no chance of their survival, you still can't put them out of their misery?
I am not completely sure, but I think it's something to do with faith in Allah - you should have faith in Allah that if this injured person is meant to die, he will. If he is meant to live, he will.
There are lots of times when people are given xxx days to live, and they are in lots of pain, but then, with the mercy of Allah, they get better.
WaSalaam
Re: Mercy-Killing
if i have a friend in army and both of us are fighting in the enemy territory, lets say i loose both of my arms and legs, and my friend cannot carry me out of enemy reach, if wants he can leave alone. i would certainly like to die instead of being captured by the enemy alive.
