Is it permissible to administer an anesthetic for treatment?

The need for anesthesia in medical surgery falls into one of three categories:

1. A state of necessity: This is when it is impossible to perform surgery without anesthesia, such as open-heart surgery. It is permissible based on the rule "Necessities make the forbidden permissible." 2. A state of need: It is not impossible to perform surgery without anesthesia, but it would involve extreme hardship, such as amputation. It is permissible based on the rule "Need takes the place of necessity." 3. A state less than need and necessity: In this case, surgery can be performed with some minor pain that can be endured, such as tooth extraction in some instances. A small amount of anesthetic is permitted based on its permissibility for medical treatment.

Jurists have permitted anesthesia for surgical operations. Ibn Abidin al-Hanafi mentioned the permissibility of drinking that which removes consciousness for the purpose of cutting out a cancerous growth (ulcerated wound), stipulating that it not be khamr (intoxicating wine). The author of Tabsira al-Hukkam indicated the permissibility of that which induces unconsciousness for amputating a limb or similar procedures because its harm is safeguarded. Al-Nawawi al-Shafi'i stated the permissibility of losing consciousness for medical treatment if there is a need for it. Al-Mardawi al-Hanbali mentioned that whoever loses consciousness due to banj (anesthetic) for treatment is excused.