- In many Muslim-dominated countries, stem cell research is accelerating rapidly

although Islamic ethics of human embryonic stem cell research have yet to reach
consensus. (Agreement).
- Various scholarly Islamic writings suggests that there is a variation in views
regarding the beginning of life as well as a consensus regarding the existence of
potential life in the human embryo.
- The Quran declares that the unborn baby has the undeniable right to
inheritance.
"And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him
as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging
clot, and We made the clot into a lump of flesh, and We made from the lump,
bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into
another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators". - Surat al-Mu'minun
23:12-14
- Michele Weckerly. 2005. THE ISLAMIC VIEW ON STEM CELL RESEARCH. [ONLINE]
Available at: http://www.barglow.com/pfaith/islam.htm. [Accessed 11 April 2016].
- Islamic Scholars find that human embryonic stem cell research does not
contravene all five maqasid al shira (The Objectives of Islamic Law) which are
defined by five basic human interests: life, religion, property, intellect and family
lineage.
- Muslim countries look up to fatwas or Islamic rulings on controversial issues in
the life and medical sciences.
- The Islamic principle: 'to avoid evil, harm or sufferance and to seek benefits'
seems to favour Embryonic Stem Cell research.
- Muslim scientists argue that embryos, less than 14 days old have 'no life' and
rather than leave them to perish, they should be used for research for the benefit
of human beings.
- Muslim scholars often reflect how the first verse that was revealed to the
Prophet Muhammad was indirectly about the science of Human embryology.
Surat al-Alaq 96:1-2 "Recite in the name of your Lord who created - Created man
from a clinging substance".
- The Noble Qur'an. 2016. The Noble Qur'an. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://quran.com/. [Accessed 11 April 2016].
- The Islamic Oath of Medical Ethics states that "Human life starts at the time of
conception, and therefore cannot be terminated".
- The Shariah Law is dynamic, this is observed when the Mecca Council of Islamic
Jurisprudence issued a fatwa that overturned older fatwas on abortion. The
Council reached a judgement that abortion is allowed if the fetes is less than 120

days old. Older fatwas stated how abortion is allowed, only if the mother's life is
at risk.
- The origins of the rules that permit organ transplantation by Muslims are
derived from the principle, 'prevention of hardships and the realisation of
benefits' as well as 'Allah intends you comfort and ease and He does not want to
burden you with difficulties.
- Islam concepts regarding sickness, medical treatment and research is set within
a faith framework.
- The ethics of Organ Transplantation in Islam, patients would surrender
ownership of organs upon their death. These organs are to be managed by the
medical institutions to be utilised well.
- Surat Al-Baqarah 2:195 - "And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw
yourselves with your own hands into destruction by refraining. And do good;
indeed, Allah loves the doors of good".
- Muslim countries urge that stored embryos should be destroyed if one or both
owners were to die or the couple divorces.
- Hathout, H.H., 2006. An Islamic perspective on human genetic and reproductive
technologies. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2, 7.
- Hassan Hathout, was a Muslim doctor and professor of medicine, stating in his
paper on 'An Islamic perspective on Human Genetic and Reproductive
technologies' that "Stem Cell research on pre-implantation embryos may be
justified if the aim is to save actual persons suffering serious illness, on the basis
of the choice of the lesser of two evils".
- Discussions on the beginning of human life have been diverse, but there is
general consensus that there is potential life in early embryos and they must be
treated with caution.
- One of the main aims of the Qur'an is to contribute to the ethical development
and moral admonition for all adherents.
- Hooft, S.H., 2014. THE HANDBOOK OF VIRTUE ETHICS. 1st ed. Durham, England:
Acumen.
- The principle of "No harm, no harassment", as taught by the Prophet
Muhammad has become a major source of bioethical decisions in the Umma
(Muslim Community) and actively responds to medical advancements.
- Islamic religious law - Sharia, emphasises on the principle of promoting or
seeking what is in the best interest of all concerned (istislah). The distinction
between "Mercy Killing" (Active euthanasia) and "letting die" (Passive
euthanasia). Raises a critical moral question about the intention of ceasing life
support as being regarded as a form of killing, if so assisted suicide or homicide.

- There is no immunity in Sharia Law for the physician who actively decides to
assist a patient die.
- Mercy Killing or Physician-assisted aid in dying of terminally ill patients is
prohibited.
- Withdrawing or withholding necessary-to-life interventions is seen as murder,
because a physician is responsible to maintain the process of life, not of deciding
death: Playing God.
- If a patient determines that death is a better outcome and a physician assists
the patient to terminate life, both are committing an offense against Allah.
- Killing and letting die carry equal moral consequences even if the person to be
killed is keen to determine that death is a better option.
- There are no grounds for justifiable killing whether through voluntary active
euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide in Islam.
- Qur'an makes it clear that death cannot be negotiated because life is a divine
trust and cannot be terminated by any form of human intervention.
- Euthanasia in Islam, it is important that illness is a form of divine, ordained
suffering which serves as a form of punishment to redeem a sin and as a form of
a test to confirm a believer's spirituality.
- Green , Palpant, R.G. , N.P., 2014. Suffering and Bioethics. 1st ed. New York,
USA: OXFORD University Press.
- Doctors who conform to the Islamic Sharia will not kill or harm a human being
(non-malfeasance).
- Tarabay, A.T., 2015. BIOETHICS AT THE CROSSROAD OF RELIGIONS: Thoughts
on the Foundations of Bioethics in Christianity and Islam. 1st ed. Ballarat Victoria:
Connor Court Publishing.
- The importance of human life and the belief that only Allah can decide issues of
life and death are key principles.
- Trust in Allah is also a central concept.
- Abortion is generally permitted in some cases, while contraception is
discouraged as it suggests lack of trust in Allah.
- Euthanasia is not acceptable.
- Organ transplantation is acceptable where the donor is dead, although there
are some issues related to respect for the human body.
- There is little if any disagreement on euthanasia. In Islamic theology, life and
death are exclusively in Allah's hands, and represent an area in which human
beings have no right to intervene.

- The principles uses for discussing the lawfulness of bioethical issues are drawn
from the Qur'an, sayings attributed to the Prophet and the opinions of the
founders of the four major Islamic Scholars/Law Schools.
- Muslims apply the basic principles of fiqh (The understanding of the law
Jurisprudence) to form the development of legal opinions on bioethical issues.
- The Qur'an and Hadith sets out in broad outline the law that is to govern human
life.
- The Shari'a Law, (Islamic Rulings and Law) makes no distinction between
family, criminal or ritual law. It is all part of the single texture: The law itself.
- The ethical principles of Islam are based on obedience to God's law.
- There are different Islamic views on Abortion: Some ban it completely and
others regard it as lawful up to the time of 'ensoulment' (The moment at which a
human being gains a soul), usually occurring after 120 days of pregnancy.
- King, Mooney, Carnegie, Smith, Johns, Johns, Pattel-Gray, Hollis, McQueen, R.K. ,
J.M. , E.C. , H.S. , A.J. , D.J. , A.G. , S.H. , K.M., 2009. Oxford Studies of Religion
Preliminary and HSC Course. 1st ed. Australia: OXFORD University Press.
- Hartney, Noble, C.H. , J.N., 2008. Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6. 1st ed.
Melbourne, Victoria: CAMBRIDGE University Press.
- In Islam the unwarranted taking of a life is a sin.
- Most Muslim countries accept that a person is considered dead when they
reach the state of brain stem death.
- Pearson Places. 2007. Living Religion Fourth Edition Student Lounge. [ONLINE]
Available at:
http://www.pearsonplaces.com.au/places/secondary_places/more_subjects/more_
subjects_student_lounge/living_religion_fourth_edition.aspx. [Accessed 14 April
2016].
- BBC. 2014. BBC - Religion: Islam. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/. [Accessed 14 April 2016].
- Most Muslim countries have not introduced laws on embryonic stem cell
research, as no consensus has been reached.
- Some Muslims are in favour of research, they argue that the embryo does not
have a soul until the later stages of its development.
- Other Muslims believe that it is immoral to destroy embryos at any stage to
harvest stem cells.
- 2003: Iranian scientists developed human embryonic stem cell lines.

- Other Muslims groups and countries i.e. Turkey and the National Fatwa council
in Malaysia, support embryonic stem cell research.
- Muslims believe that all human life is sacred because it is given by Allah.
- Allah chooses how long each person will live and human being should not
interfere in this.
- LIFE IS SACRED: In the Qur'an, Surat al-Isra 17:33 - "And do not kill the soul
which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We
have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in the matter of
taking life. Indeed, he has been supported by the law".
- ALLAH DECIDES HOW LONG EACH PERSON WILL LIVE: In the Qur'an, Surat anNahl 16:61 - "And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for their
wrongdoing. He would not have left upon the earth any creature, but He defers
them for a specified term. And when their term has come, they will not remain
behind an hour, nor will they precede it".
- In the Qur'an, Surah Ali 'Imran 3:145 - "And it is not possible for one to
die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires
the reward of this world - We will give him thereof, and whoever desires the
reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And we will reward the
grateful".
EUTHANASIA IS EXPLICITLY FORBIDDEN: In the Hadith, Sahih Bukhari 4.56.669 "Allah's Apostle 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".
- In the Qur'an, Surah An-Nisa 4:29 - "O you who have believed, do not
consume on another's wealth unjustly but only in lawful business by mutual
consent. And do not kill yourselves or one another. Indeed, A;;ah is to you ever
Merciful".
- Many devout Muslims believe that Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders represent a
mild form of euthanasia, which is strictly forbidden in Islam.
- Muslims cannot kill, or be involved in the killing of another.
- The Islamic Code of Medical Ethic states, "It is futile to diligently keep the
patient in a vegetative state by heroic means It is the process of life that the
doctor aims to maintain and not the process of dying". The doctors can stop
trying to prolong life in cases where there is no hope of a cure.
- The Islamic Medical Association of America (IMANA) states that, "When death
becomes inevitable, as determined by physicians taking care of terminally ill
patients, the patient should be allowed to die without unnecessary procedures."

- IMANA consider all mechanical life support procedures are temporary

relief/measures for the patient.
- While turning off a life-support is allowed, the use of certain pain-killing drugs
which would increase the chances of death is not allowed, as this would be a
form of euthanasia.
- Muslims regard abortion as wrong and haram (Forbidden), however many
accept that it may be permitted in certain cases.
- All schools of Muslim law/Scholars accept that abortion is permitted if
continuing the pregnancy would put the mother's life in danger. This is the ONLY
reason accepted for abortion after 120 days of pregnancy.
- Even those scholars who would permit early abortion, it is still regarded as
wrong, but not a punishable wrong.
- The Qur'an offers guidance on related matters, scholars accept that this
guidance can properly be applied to abortion.
- SANCTITY OF LIFE: The Islamic view on Abortion is highly dependent on faith
which gives the sacredness of life. In the Qur'an, Surah Al-Ma'Idah 5:32 - "We
decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or
for corruption done in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And
whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our
messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Them indeed many of
them, even after that, throughout the land, were transgressors".
- Most Muslim scholars observe that a foetus in the womb is recognised and
protected by the faith of Islam, as it is human life.
- Islam allows abortion to save the life of the mother because it sees this as the
'lesser of two evils' which is derived from the Sharia Law (Muslim Law), i.e. a
General principle.
- Abortion is a lesser evil in the case of the mother's life at risk because, the
mother is the originator of the foetus, the mother is part of a family and
importantly, allowing the mother to die would also kill the foetus in most cases.
- The Qur'an makes it clear that a fetus must not be aborted, the Muslim family
should trust Allah to look after things: Surah Al-Isra 17:31 - "And do not kill your
children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing
is ever a great sin".
- Grand Ayatollah Yusuf Saanei issued a fatwa (Islamic Legal Ruling) that permits
Abortion in the first three months for various reasons. Saanei accepted that
Abortion was generally forbidden in Islam, he stated "But Islam is also a religion
of compassion, and if there are serious problems, God sometimes doesn't require
his creatures to practice his law. So under some conditions --such as parents'
poverty or overpopulation--then abortion is allowed". - Los Angeles Times,
December 29, 2009.

- Islam forbids the termination of a pregnancy after soul 'ensoulment' is given to

the fetus.
- In the Hadith, Shahih Bukhari, 4.55.549. - "Narrated Abdullah: Allah's Apostle,
the true and truly inspired said, "Every one of you is collected in the womb of his
mother for the first forty days, and then he becomes a clot for another forty
days, and then a piece of flesh for another forty days. Allah sends an angel to
write four words. He writes his deeds, time of his death, means of his livelihood
and whether he will be wretched or blessed. Then the soul is breathed into his
body". Suggesting that the moment of ensoulment is 120 days.
- Many scholars believe that life begins at conception, and that all scholars
believe that an embryo deserves respect and protection at all stages of the
pregnancy.
- Muslim World League. 2004. Muslim World League | Serving Islam and Muslims.
[ONLINE] Available at: http://en.themwl.org/. [Accessed 16 April 2016].
- Robin Wright, R.W., 2000. Iran Now a Hotbed of Islamic Reformsw. The Changing
Face of Islam, [Online]. 1, 4. Available at:
http://articles.latimes.com/2000/dec/29/news/mn-5913 [Accessed 16 April 2016].