What should a Muslim doctor do if asked to remove life support from a conscious patient who insists on dying, and the court has affirmed their right to do so?
The Muslim physician's mission is to be a caller to Allah through their actions and words, combining the healing of hearts and bodies. It is not permissible for a physician to assist a patient in disobedience, including suicide, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever throws himself from a mountain and kills himself, he will be in the Hellfire, throwing himself therein eternally and forever. And whoever drinks poison and kills himself, his poison will be in his hand, and he will be drinking it in the Hellfire eternally and forever. And whoever kills himself with a piece of iron, his piece of iron will be in his hand, stabbing himself with it in his belly in the Hellfire eternally and forever." Similarly, it is not permissible for him to remove anything from the patient's body that would harm them or lead to their death. He must explain the danger to the patients. If they are not convinced, he is not permitted to do so to them. If he can prevent them, he should do so; otherwise, "Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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