The new developments in the field of science and technology have always been a point of discussion and controversy in the Islamic circles. Some time ago when the Sultan of Turkey decided to introduce electricity in the Mosque of the Prophet, religious scholars and leaders opposed it saying that something created artificially cannot occupy a sacred place. It was not different from the opposition the scholars raised to the printing press when it was first introduced. They, in fact, banned the printing of the Qur’ān and declared it haram. Then the loudspeaker was introduced and religious scholars opposed its use in mosques, saying that the voice radiating from it is artificial. Then the television was introduced and Muslims scholars called it the daughter of Satan and then the internet also met the same fate. Human organ donation also falls in the same lines. Scholars have difference of opinions about organs donation, some support while others don’t.

An organ is defined as any part of a human body, tissue, cells or blood. Organ transplantation is mainly in two forms, from a living person and from a dead person. A majority of scholars across the world are of the opinion that it is permissible to indulge in organ donation when the person is alive on three conditions: first, it should not have any negative effect on the health of the donor; secondly, the donor should know the receiver; and thirdly, it should not be done for money. The only difference of opinion is when the organ has to be replaced after the person is dead. Islami Fiqh Academy of India and various scholars across the world are against organ transplantation from a dead body.

When a young man asked Maulana Maudoodi about the ruling on organ donation after the death of a person on humanitarian ground, he said, “Does this have any relation with humanity? The issue is not only with the eyes, as time passes many other parts of the human body might be in use. Let us try to understand this with the help of an example; a person expires and the entire family is mourning and a few people come to remove his eyes, some people come to remove his hands and legs, some other people come to remove his heart, lungs and kidney. If this becomes a trend in the Muslim society then I do not know what the friends and relatives will come to see. When did you become the owner of your body? Not only in Islam but the law also does not declare you as the owner of your body. If you were the owner of your body then why is suicide not permitted? Then why can’t you sell yourself?”(Tafheem-ul-Masail, Vol. 1, Maulana Gauhar Rahman)

According to Islamic Fiqh Council of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, it has determined that, it is permissible to transplant an organ from one place in a person’s body to another place in the same body, to transplant an organ from the body of one person to another if it is an organ that renews itself automatically – such as blood and skin, to make use of organs that have been taken from the body of another person due to sickness – such as taking the cornea from the eye of a person whose eye has been removed due to sickness and to transplant an organ from a dead person to a living person whose life or basic essential functions depend on that organ. All these decisions are subject to conditions and may change based on the situation.

A few aspects which have to be taken into consideration during organ donation is, seeking cure is an obligation, saving of life or improving quality of life is a must, using the forbidden for any emergency is allowed, choosing the lesser of the two evils is preferred, whatever is forbidden is specifically mentioned by Allah in the Qur’ān, we are warned not to forbid the things Allah has permitted, haraam must be proven by an authentic command and Allah has not directly or indirectly prohibited organ donation or transplantation but in fact, he has encouraged the saving of life at any cost.

After taking into consideration all these aspects we need to remember that helping others is one of the core principles of Islam and it has always motivated people to help others. Islam teaches us that it’s very important to give help to others, especially if they are poor and needy. Whatever their colour or religion, we have to help them. When you help others, it’s also a way to show you are thankful to Allah for everything He has given you, like a healthy body, a family, food and shelter. You need to remember that you would not have anything if Allah didn’t give it to you. It also goes to such an extent that it motivates people to give preference to others over themselves. We can learn the importance of helping through the Qur’ān, life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and the life of the Companions.

Allah says in the Qur’ān, “…And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind (the people)…” (Qur’ān 5:32). The verse motivates people to save the life of people and one could do it by making use of the resources which Allah the Exalted has given him. Many scholars also permit organ donation on the basis of this ayat. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said, “Whoever relieves a believer of some of the distress of this world, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection.

Whoever makes things easier for one who is suffering hardship, Allah will make things easier for him in this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals a Muslim’s faults, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah will help a person so long as he helps his brother.” (Muslim) The hadÄ«th clearly emphasises helping people and it also states that Allah the Exalted is going to help the person who helps his brother in this world. What better reward could we expect from Allah the Exalted?

We can learn the aspect of care and love from the life of the Companions as well. Once Abu Talha took Abu Hurairah to his house and found that there was no food except some soup which was for his children. They made the children sleep, put off the candle and pretended like they were also eating. Thus, we also need to help others based on the resources which we have in the view of the Shari’ah.

On the other hand, the demand for human organs is on a rise. According to a research, every 27 minutes someone in the world receives an organ transplant, but nonetheless every 2 hours 24 minutes someone dies waiting for an organ to become available. Hundreds of thousands more are on waiting lists around the world. Every year millions of people die of various causes, but only about two per cent of these people are potential organ donors. Of these potential donors, less than 30 per cent will have any of their organs or tissues donated. Those who do will save an average of five lives and improve the quality of life of up to 50 more people.

In this current situation, the doctors instead of replacing the organs should strive for making artificial organs and should also motivate other organisations to indulge in research on similar lines or indulge in research to use the organs of animals as replacement for human organs. This will be the real service to humanity. A service of this kind would be the best form of service to the entire mankind.

On 25 December 1967 an article was published in a western daily stating that, “An organisation in Britain who is involved in making human skeletons with the help of human bones is facing problems because countries like Russia and France have prohibited the export of human bones and it is only Asia from which they can procure the bones. If the Asian countries also decide to prohibit the export of human bones then they will have to face a severe crisis. In order to counter this situation, they have created skeletons using artificial material and have also created artificial parts of human beings. This news is about half a century old but now a lot of development has happened in this field. When this was possible half a century ago, then why it is not possible in the era of science and technology.

Scholars should also gain more knowledge and do more research on the subject of organ donation as the situation is going to become much more complex in the future. Today science has developed only to such an extent that blood, tissues, cells, bone marrow, skin, cartilage, veins, eyes, liver, lung and kidney can be transplanted and in the future, with the development of science and technology, it might be possible to make use of all other parts of the body, such as, flesh, bones, etc.