Pyaragudia
Islam is a comprehensive deen and covers every issue. Its just it is kept hidden by the people who wish to keep islam on the bookshelf and away from pratical implementataion.
Stem cell is covered by islam as well is other issues like cloning for example.
Stem cells, as suggested by the expert group, can be derived from a number of sources:
- From some adult tissues (such as bone marrow)
- Early embryos made through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) that are not needed for infertility treatment
- Early embryos made by inserting the nucleus from an adult stem cell into an egg with its nucleus removed, i.e. cloning
- From the germ cells or organs of an aborted foetus
From the blood cells of the umbilical cord at the time of birth
Use of adult tissues to produce stem cells
If the origin were a live human being then this would be allowed with his consent. This is because the person has a legal (Shari) authority over his organs. For example, if a person’s hand or eye is removed by another person, then the wounded can take diya (blood-money). The victim also has the right to choose forgiveness. From the Shari point of view he has final say over the organs and has the right to make decisions regarding them. Hence, he can donate his organ to somebody who needs it. Allah (swt) has allowed forgiveness or diya. The Qur’an states:
"But if the relatives (or one of them) of the killed (person) forgive their brother (the killer) something (i.e. not to kill the killer by accepting the blood-money in murder) then the relatives should demand blood-money in a reasonable manner, and the killer must pay with handsome gratitude. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your lord" [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 178].
However, for a donor to donate an organ the organ should not be vital for his own life. Stem cells fulfil this requirement.
The Qur’an clearly explains:
"Do not kill yourselves" [TMQ An-Nisa’: 29].
Deriving cells from dead adult tissue would not be allowed. Aisha (ra), the mother of the believers, narrated that the Prophet of Allah (saw) said, "Breaking the bone of a dead person is just like breaking it when he is alive" [Abu Dawood].
- Use of IVF to produce stem cell
This is where stem cells are derived from early embryos, which are no longer needed for infertility treatment (‘spare embryos’). From the Shari point of view this would be allowed.
IVF as a means to aid fertilisation between a husband and wife is allowed according to Ijtihad from Qur’an and Sunnah. Anas (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Marry the affectionate who is prolific; I will be boasting about your number to the Prophets on the Day of Judgement."
The nature of the IVF process is that embryos will be formed that will not be needed for placement in the woman’s womb. These can be utilised for the purpose of producing stem cells. This is because they would be considered najus (impure). The Hukm Shari has allowed for the use of najus in the pursuit of medical treatment.
These embryos would not be considered as dead since they never had life. Imam Muslim narrates from Ibn Mas'ud that he said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying, "When 42 nights have passed on the nutfah (mixed male and female discharge of semen), Allah sends an angel to form it. He creates its hearing, vision, skin, flesh, and bones. Then the angel says, O Allah! Male or female?" In another narration "40 nights" was mentioned instead of 42.
- Use of cloning to produce stem cells
By taking a living cell from a human, taking out the nucleus and implanting it in a woman’s egg, an embryo can be produced. This process allows for genetic selection.
An example would be the correction of faulty DNA in mitochondria that at present result in more than 50 inherited metabolic conditions. Mitochondria are small energy-producing structures within each cell. They can only be inherited from the mother and they contain a tiny bit of DNA, the vast majority being in the cell nucleus.
This is haram (forbidden) from Islam. By using the donor egg this leads to loss of kinship. Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that he heard the Prophet of Allah (saw) say, "Any woman who introduced to some people an offspring that does not belong to them, then she has nothing to do with Allah and she will not enter Paradise; and any man who denies his son while looking at him, Allah will not reveal Himself to him and Allah will disgrace him in front of the first and last generations."
The purpose of stem cell production through cloning would be to eradicate genetic faults. It would mean choosing the characteristics among males and females regardless of marital status. Genetic elements would come from three sources: the husband, wife and a third female with the correct mitochondrial DNA. This would result in kinship being lost and mixed. This would prevent the application of many of the Sharia rules such as those related to marriage, alimony, inheritance, custody, Maharim and 'Usbat (forbidden consanguinity).
The Qur’an quotes the cursed Shaytan:
"I will command them to change the creation of Allah" [TMQ An-Nisa: 119].
According to the Hukm Shari the domain of cloning is restricted to plants and animals only.
- Use of germ cells /organs of an aborted foetus to produce stem cells
In line with the discussion surrounding the use of embryos from IVF, the use of aborted foetuses to extract stem cells from them would be allowed only if the foetus was less than 42 days old (according to the hadith narrated by ibn Mas'ud).
- Use of blood cells of the umbilical cord to produce stem cells
The Umbilical Cord is considered najus from the Hukm Shari. It can be used to extract stem cells if it is required for medical treatment or research. This is in line with the Shari opinion on the use of embryos from IVF.
The 'Ethical' argument
In relation to the use of embryos, the Kuffar are torn between two opposing points of view. One body of opinion says that the use of any embryo for research purposes is unethical and unacceptable on the grounds that an embryo should be accorded full human status from the moment of its creation. The other body states that the embryo deserves no particular moral attention whatsoever.
This is characteristic of the Kuffar. They do not think about the consequences of their actions, as they do not view actions as a path to Jannah or Jahannam. They view actions only as a means to an end. Since they do not refer to Allah’s (swt) revelation, they are constantly opening 'Pandora’s Box.’ Clearly, deciding matters for themselves is a grievous mistake.
Islam, by means of Ijtihad, is dynamic. Islam’s boundaries clearly demarcate what is allowed and what is not through the Hukm Shari. Stem cells can be used from live adults, umbilical cords, IVF embryos and aborted foeti under 40 or 42 days gestation. They cannot be extracted through cloning, dead human tissue and foeti above 40 or 42 days.
Good and bad are defined by Allah (swt)
The concept of good in Western civilisation correlates with man’s desires. Man, as an individual, committee or a government, is unable to act in a way that benefits humanity as a whole. Left alone, human beings will feed cattle the dead remains of other animals, not aware of the consequences and then not rectify their actions but hide them. A court may rule that a Siamese twin may be killed at the expense of her sister based upon case law originating from the 1890s. Homosexuals will strive to have and bring up children despite the consequences to society.
Only Allah (swt) can define the way man should live. Only the Creator, Allah (swt), has full knowledge of good and bad, of what will bring prosperity and what will bring disaster. He (swt) is aware of the past, present and future. He (swt) created human beings and knows his nature, what will satisfy him and what will make him miserable. Accordingly, the only fit means by which a human being should live is by the system of Islam.
The failure of Muslims has been their inability to implement Islam in its totality. For over one thousand years the Islamic State demonstrated how science and technology could be brought together in harmony with the environment and with respect to Allah's (swt) creation. We led mankind in every field of life. Islam still has all the answers for man's problems, but with the absence of the Islamic State, these solutions will continue to go unrecognised.