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10 November 2009
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Euthanasia and suicide

Euthanasia and suicide in Islam

Muslims are against euthanasia. They believe that all human life is sacred because it is given by Allah, and that Allah chooses how long each person will live. Human beings should not interfere in this.

Life is sacred

Euthanasia and suicide are not included among the reasons allowed for killing in Islam.

Do not take life, which Allah made sacred, other than in the course of justice.Qur'an 17:33
If anyone kills a person - unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed the whole people.Qur'an 5:32

Allah decides how long each of us will live

When their time comes they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward by a single hour.Qur'an 16:61
And no person can ever die except by Allah's leave and at an appointed term.Qur'an 3:145

Suicide and euthanasia are explicitly forbidden

Destroy not yourselves. Surely Allah is ever merciful to you.Qur'an 4:29
The Prophet said: "Amongst the nations before you there was a man who got a wound, and growing impatient (with its pain), he took a knife and cut his hand with it and the blood did not stop till he died. Allah said, 'My Slave hurried to bring death upon himself so I have forbidden him (to enter) Paradise.' "Sahih Bukhari 4.56.669

About this article

This page was last updated 2009-09-07

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