Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536636
10 10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 JUNE 2025 OPINION EUTHANASIA can be tech- nically defined as the deliber- ate act of hastening the death of an individual to relieve the incurable, unbearable pain or poor quality of life. While acknowledging that in recent years, the subject has gained increasing acceptance and even adoption in a num- ber of countries, nonetheless, Islam is unequivocally against euthanasia. Islam teaches that life and death are in the hands of Al- lah. He gives and takes life. Nobody knows exactly when, where and how they are go- ing to die. Only Allah decides how long each person will live: "Nor can a soul die, except by Allah's leave, the term being fixed as by writing." (Quran 3:145). Suicide in Islam by any means is forbidden by Allah and it is a sin punishable by Him: "Do not kill yourselves. Surely Al- lah is merciful to you." (Quran 4:29). As narrated by scholars Al Bukhari and Muslim, Proph- et Mohammad Peace Be Up- on Him (PBUH) had said: "Amongst the nations before you, there was a man who suf- fered 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) par- adise'." Man should not kill himself or ask anybody to kill him or assist him to die, whatever the circumstances may be. No person has the right to die vol- untarily as man does not pos- sess their own soul, to take it or to ask anybody else to take it. The Quran is clear on this: "To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return." In contrast, Islam fully adopts and advocates for the virtue of patience when confronted with affliction or illness. The Holy Prophet PBUH had instilled the value of patience among his followers, empha- sising that enduring pain and hardship leads to divine re- wards. He once stated: "No calamity befalls a Muslim, but Allah will expiate some of his sins because of it, even if it is just a prick of a thorn." Killing a person according to his request or by his per- mission is a crime and a major sin in Islam. The Quran states: "And kill not the soul which Allah has forbidden save for just cause." Accordingly, people will find themselves at a crossroads in these circumstances. Some ad- vocates of euthanasia argue for reducing an individual's pain and suffering by facilitating a peaceful end to their life. On the other hand, the teachings of multiple faiths, including Islam, underscore the sanctity of human life, asserting that no entity should possess the authority to terminate another human life even on the prem- ise of compassion. Euthanasia or merciful death or ending the life of a patient suffering from severe deform- ity or a hopeless, incurable condition or terminal trans- missible disease or severe un- bearable pain, is not permitted in Islam. It is considered an act of killing. According to Islamic teachings, neither the patient nor his family have the right to request euthanasia. Doctors should not take part in termi- nating the life of a patient even if it is at the patient's own re- quest or that of their family or guardians. Death should be natural, as ordained by Allah. This obvious social dichoto- my raises an interesting ques- tion: Why is it better to with- stand profound agony and adopt patience and hardship, as opposed to resorting to eu- thanasia? Diving into the concept of euthanasia, it is clear that its drawbacks outweigh the ben- efits. As a society, we need to en- deavour to find alternative ways to alleviate pain, provide comfort, and reduce suffer- ing for patients, rather than choosing to end their lives. We need to encourage substan- tial improvement in palliative care, which includes spiritual care and the need to find more resources for this. In Islam, Allah Almighty is the true healer and possesses the full power to heal. There- fore, one should never give up hope. "Certainly, no one de- spairs of Allah's mercy except the people who disbelieve," the Quran states. Euthanasia's challenges We must evaluate the var- ious challenges posed by eu- thanasia. Sanctity of human life: As the definition of euthanasia shows, it clearly underscores the sacredness and sancti- ty of every human life. This principle is deeply rooted in religious, social and ethical foundations, emphasising the inherent worth of each human existence. If we condone the act of one human being ending the life of another, even under the guise of mercy, we risk di- luting the sanctity of the hu- man being. It will regretfully introduce the notion that the worth of life can be condition- al and based fully upon situa- tional assessments. Parental relationship: Sec- ondly, the strong bond be- tween parents and their chil- dren is a universal sentiment of human beings. As parents get older, their children dedicate themselves to ensuring their parents' well-being and com- fort. This mutual care and de- votion are highly esteemed val- ues within our Maltese society. It has long been engraved as a societal standard that parents nurture their children with care, and children selflessly care for their ageing parents. The normalisation of eutha- nasia can erode this cherished value and the responsibility it invokes towards elderly par- ents. Euthanasia introduces a completely different approach to consolation. It is concern- ing that parents might increas- ingly perceive themselves as a burden on their children, even unconsciously, thus altering the dynamics of this wonder- ful bond. Hopelessness: Thirdly, the root principle of any advanc- ing society is engraved in hope and the ability to navigate through challenges. This atti- tude is vitally ingrained in our different roles in life including our role as parents who guide Euthanasia in Islam: An act of Imam Mohammad Elsadi & Samir AbouHussein The euthanasia