Main Article Content
Abstract
This article examines the perspectives of Islam and Western philosophy on euthanasia, focusing on whether it is acceptable within Muslim contexts. To provide a comprehensive understanding, the study employs an Islamic jurisprudential approach combined with analytical and descriptive methods. Drawing on primary Islamic sources, including the Qur’an, Hadith, scholarly fatwas, and Islamic ethical principles. The findings indicate that, due to the sanctity of human life as a divine gift, active euthanasia is strictly prohibited in Islam. However, in circumstances where medical treatment proves ineffective or futile, Islamic teachings permit the withdrawal or discontinuation of life-sustaining interventions.
Keywords
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2026 Parwana Rahmani

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
a. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
b. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).References
1 ZULAIKHA SAEED, 2 DR. AMJAD HAYAT, 3 DR. SYED SHAMEEL AHMED QUADRI, 4 DR. SOHAIL RASOOL, 5 DR. SHAMSHAD AKHTER,6 DR. MUHAMMAD SARWAR. “ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND POLICY, CURE IN THE LIGHT OF QURAN AND SUNNAH 1 ZULAIKHA SAEED, 2,” 2023. https://www.russianlawjournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/2583/1458.
Akbar Shah, Maularna, and U Tun Aung. “Euthanasia from the Islamic Perspective: Ending Life of a Patient Whose Recovery Is Absolutely Impossible.,” December 2018. https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v17i2.952.
AMA Principles of Medical Ethics: I, IV. “AMA Code of Medical Ethics.” Accessed June 14, 2025. https://code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org/ethics-opinions/euthanasia.
ANTON J. L. VAN HOOFF. “GOOD DEATH AND THE DOCTORIN THE GRAECO-ROMAN WORLD.” Social Science & Medicine 58, No. 5, March 2004, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2003.10.036.
Aramesh, Kiarash, and Heydar Shadi. “Euthanasia: An Islamic Ethical Perspective.” IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ALLERGY, ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY. All Rights Reserved. Vol. 6, 2007. www.SID.ir.
———. “Euthanasia: An Islamic Ethical Perspective.” IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ALLERGY, ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY. All Rights Reserved. Vol. 6, 2007. www.SID.ir.
“Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia - Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine - NCBI Bookshelf.” Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK13381/.
Ayuba, Mahmud Adesina. “EUTHANASIA: A MUSLIM’S PERSPECTIVE.” Scriptura 115, no. 0 (June 2016). https://doi.org/10.7833/115-0-1175.
Cohen, Joachim, Isabelle Marcoux, Johan Bilsen, Patrick Deboosere, Gerrit van der Wal, and Luc Deliens. “European Public Acceptance of Euthanasia: Socio-Demographic and Cultural Factors Associated with the Acceptance of Euthanasia in 33 European Countries.” Social Science and Medicine 63, no. 3 (August 2006): 743–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.01.026.
Damian, Constantin Iulian, Grigore T Popa, Nicolae Ghețu, Ioan Dura, and Vasile Astărăstoae. “The Quranic Instrumentalization of Suffering.” European Journal of Science and Theology. Vol. 12, August 2016. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312095441.
Dörr, Anneliese. “AUTONOMY AND EUTHANASIA: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURAL CONTEXT AUTONOMY AND EUTHANASIA: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURAL,” July 2015. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.4039.0245.
Ed Lamb, St. Anne’s College. “Oxford Uehiro Centre Prize in Practical Ethics: ‘Rational Departure’: What Does Stoicism Reveal About Contemporary Attitudes Towards Suicide? | Practical Ethics,” March 2021. https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2021/03/oxford-uehiro-centre-prize-in-practical-ethics-rational-departure-what-does-stoicism-reveal-about-contemporary-attitudes-towards-suicide/?utm.
Ghaly, Mohammed. “Islamic Ethical Perspectives on Life-Sustaining Treatments.” Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. World Health Organization, August 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.22.044.
Güth, Uwe, Shaun McMillan, and Edouard Battegay. “Medical Aid in Dying: Europe’s Urgent Medico-Ethical Challenge.” International Journal of Public Health. Frontiers Media SA, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606538.
———. “Medical Aid in Dying: Europe’s Urgent Medico-Ethical Challenge.” International Journal of Public Health. Frontiers Media SA, September 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606538.
Halima Kashkoli and Maryan Safayee. “The effect of consent in euthanasia from the perspective of Iranian jurisprudence and criminal law.” Arshiyan Fars Quarterly; Second Year; Issue No. 8 8 (2023): 34–44. https://www.jlpa.ir/article_187372.html?lang=en.
Hooff, Anton J.L. Van. “Ancient Euthanasia: ‘Good Death’ and the Doctor in the Graeco-Roman World.” Social Science & Medicine 58, no. 5 (March 1, 2004): 975–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2003.10.036.
Isgandarova, Nazila. “Physician-Assisted Suicide and Other Forms of Euthanasia in Islamic Spiritual Care.” Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 69, no. 4 (December 1, 2015): 215–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/1542305015616099.
Islam, Rubel. “Euthanasia: Western Perspectives.” International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development 7, No. 1 Volume 7, no. Issue 1 (February 2023). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8379936.
“Islamic Code of Medical Ethics Kuwait Document | Encyclopedia.Com.” Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/islamic-code-medical-ethics-kuwait-document?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
Keown, John. “The Value of Autonomy.” Euthanasia, Ethics and Public Policy, December 22, 2002, 52–57. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511495335.010.
Khalid, Dalhat Sani. “End of Life Care: The Islamic Perspective.” Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 33, no. 4 (November 1, 2019): 254–59. https://doi.org/10.20467/1091-5710.23.3.254.
Malik, Mohammad Manzoor. “Chapter 11 Euthanasia: An Islamic Perspective,” 2011.
Mehran Narimisa. EUTHANASIA IN ISLAMIC VIEWS. Vol. vol.2. Iran: European Scientific Journal June 2014 /SPECIAL/ edition ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print), 2014.
Mendz, George L., and David W. Kissane. “Agency, Autonomy and Euthanasia.” Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 48, no. 3 (September 1, 2020): 555–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073110520958881.
“MERCY KILLING.” Accessed June 17, 2025. https://thelawdictionary.org/mercy-killing/?utm.
Micieli, Jonathan, and St Michael’s Hospital. “Hume vs. Kant on Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Death With Dignity Act,” January 2006. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50854749.
Mroz, Sarah, Sigrid Dierickx, Luc Deliens, Joachim Cohen, and Kenneth Chambaere. “Assisted Dying around the World: A Status Quaestionis.” Annals of Palliative Medicine 10, no. 3 (2021): 3540–53. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-20-637.
Patuzzo, Sara, Giada Goracci, and Rosagemma Ciliberti. “Thomas Percival. Discussing the Foundation of Medical Ethics.” Acta Biomedica 89, no. 3 (September 1, 2018): 343–48. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v89i3.7050.
Pereira Mbchb Msc, J. “EUTHANASIA: THE SAFEGUARD ILLUSION E38 Current OnCOlOgy-VOlume 18, Number 2 Legalizing Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide: The Illusion of Safeguards and Controls,” March 18, 2011. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v18i2.883.
Picón-Jaimes, Yelson Alejandro, Ivan David Lozada-Martinez, Javier Esteban Orozco-Chinome, Lina María Montaña-Gómez, María Paz Bolaño-Romero, Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar, Tariq Janjua, and Sabrina Rahman. “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: An in-Depth Review of Relevant Historical Aspects.” Annals of Medicine and Surgery. Elsevier Ltd, March 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103380.
Spina, Bernadette. “ETHICAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ACTIVE EUTHANASIA,” December 1998. https://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=jolpi&utm.
“States Where Medical Aid in Dying Is Authorized - Compassion & Choices.” Https://Compassionandchoices.Org/. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://compassionandchoices.org/states-where-medical-aid-in-dying-is-authorized/.
Talal. Holy Quran. Translated by TALAL ITANI, 2012. www.ClearQuran.com.
Thane Josef Messinger. “A Gentle and Easy Death_ From Ancient Greece to Beyond Cruzan Tow.” Denver Law Review 71 (January 1993): 175–251. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2274&context=dlr&utm.
Vilela, Luciana Pricoli, and Paulo Caramelli. “O Conhecimento Da Definição de Eutanásia: Estudo Com Médicos e Cuidadores de Pacientes Com Doença de Alzheimer.” Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira 55, no. 3 (2009): 263–67. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-42302009000300016.
“Why the Hippocratic Oath Prohibits Physician-Assisted Suicide - Public Discourse.” Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2019/11/57243/?utm.
Dahlan, Moh, Mohammad Reevany Bustami, Makmur, and Siti Mas’ulah. “The Islamic Principle of Ḥifẓ Al-Nafs (Protection of Life) and COVID-19 in Indonesia: A Case Study of Nurul Iman Mosque of Bengkulu City.” Heliyon 7, no. 7 (2021): e07541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07541.
References
1 ZULAIKHA SAEED, 2 DR. AMJAD HAYAT, 3 DR. SYED SHAMEEL AHMED QUADRI, 4 DR. SOHAIL RASOOL, 5 DR. SHAMSHAD AKHTER,6 DR. MUHAMMAD SARWAR. “ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND POLICY, CURE IN THE LIGHT OF QURAN AND SUNNAH 1 ZULAIKHA SAEED, 2,” 2023. https://www.russianlawjournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/2583/1458.
Akbar Shah, Maularna, and U Tun Aung. “Euthanasia from the Islamic Perspective: Ending Life of a Patient Whose Recovery Is Absolutely Impossible.,” December 2018. https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v17i2.952.
AMA Principles of Medical Ethics: I, IV. “AMA Code of Medical Ethics.” Accessed June 14, 2025. https://code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org/ethics-opinions/euthanasia.
ANTON J. L. VAN HOOFF. “GOOD DEATH AND THE DOCTORIN THE GRAECO-ROMAN WORLD.” Social Science & Medicine 58, No. 5, March 2004, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2003.10.036.
Aramesh, Kiarash, and Heydar Shadi. “Euthanasia: An Islamic Ethical Perspective.” IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ALLERGY, ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY. All Rights Reserved. Vol. 6, 2007. www.SID.ir.
———. “Euthanasia: An Islamic Ethical Perspective.” IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ALLERGY, ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY. All Rights Reserved. Vol. 6, 2007. www.SID.ir.
“Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia - Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine - NCBI Bookshelf.” Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK13381/.
Ayuba, Mahmud Adesina. “EUTHANASIA: A MUSLIM’S PERSPECTIVE.” Scriptura 115, no. 0 (June 2016). https://doi.org/10.7833/115-0-1175.
Cohen, Joachim, Isabelle Marcoux, Johan Bilsen, Patrick Deboosere, Gerrit van der Wal, and Luc Deliens. “European Public Acceptance of Euthanasia: Socio-Demographic and Cultural Factors Associated with the Acceptance of Euthanasia in 33 European Countries.” Social Science and Medicine 63, no. 3 (August 2006): 743–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.01.026.
Damian, Constantin Iulian, Grigore T Popa, Nicolae Ghețu, Ioan Dura, and Vasile Astărăstoae. “The Quranic Instrumentalization of Suffering.” European Journal of Science and Theology. Vol. 12, August 2016. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312095441.
Dörr, Anneliese. “AUTONOMY AND EUTHANASIA: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURAL CONTEXT AUTONOMY AND EUTHANASIA: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURAL,” July 2015. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.4039.0245.
Ed Lamb, St. Anne’s College. “Oxford Uehiro Centre Prize in Practical Ethics: ‘Rational Departure’: What Does Stoicism Reveal About Contemporary Attitudes Towards Suicide? | Practical Ethics,” March 2021. https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2021/03/oxford-uehiro-centre-prize-in-practical-ethics-rational-departure-what-does-stoicism-reveal-about-contemporary-attitudes-towards-suicide/?utm.
Ghaly, Mohammed. “Islamic Ethical Perspectives on Life-Sustaining Treatments.” Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. World Health Organization, August 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.22.044.
Güth, Uwe, Shaun McMillan, and Edouard Battegay. “Medical Aid in Dying: Europe’s Urgent Medico-Ethical Challenge.” International Journal of Public Health. Frontiers Media SA, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606538.
———. “Medical Aid in Dying: Europe’s Urgent Medico-Ethical Challenge.” International Journal of Public Health. Frontiers Media SA, September 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606538.
Halima Kashkoli and Maryan Safayee. “The effect of consent in euthanasia from the perspective of Iranian jurisprudence and criminal law.” Arshiyan Fars Quarterly; Second Year; Issue No. 8 8 (2023): 34–44. https://www.jlpa.ir/article_187372.html?lang=en.
Hooff, Anton J.L. Van. “Ancient Euthanasia: ‘Good Death’ and the Doctor in the Graeco-Roman World.” Social Science & Medicine 58, no. 5 (March 1, 2004): 975–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2003.10.036.
Isgandarova, Nazila. “Physician-Assisted Suicide and Other Forms of Euthanasia in Islamic Spiritual Care.” Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 69, no. 4 (December 1, 2015): 215–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/1542305015616099.
Islam, Rubel. “Euthanasia: Western Perspectives.” International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development 7, No. 1 Volume 7, no. Issue 1 (February 2023). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8379936.
“Islamic Code of Medical Ethics Kuwait Document | Encyclopedia.Com.” Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/islamic-code-medical-ethics-kuwait-document?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
Keown, John. “The Value of Autonomy.” Euthanasia, Ethics and Public Policy, December 22, 2002, 52–57. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511495335.010.
Khalid, Dalhat Sani. “End of Life Care: The Islamic Perspective.” Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 33, no. 4 (November 1, 2019): 254–59. https://doi.org/10.20467/1091-5710.23.3.254.
Malik, Mohammad Manzoor. “Chapter 11 Euthanasia: An Islamic Perspective,” 2011.
Mehran Narimisa. EUTHANASIA IN ISLAMIC VIEWS. Vol. vol.2. Iran: European Scientific Journal June 2014 /SPECIAL/ edition ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print), 2014.
Mendz, George L., and David W. Kissane. “Agency, Autonomy and Euthanasia.” Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 48, no. 3 (September 1, 2020): 555–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073110520958881.
“MERCY KILLING.” Accessed June 17, 2025. https://thelawdictionary.org/mercy-killing/?utm.
Micieli, Jonathan, and St Michael’s Hospital. “Hume vs. Kant on Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Death With Dignity Act,” January 2006. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50854749.
Mroz, Sarah, Sigrid Dierickx, Luc Deliens, Joachim Cohen, and Kenneth Chambaere. “Assisted Dying around the World: A Status Quaestionis.” Annals of Palliative Medicine 10, no. 3 (2021): 3540–53. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-20-637.
Patuzzo, Sara, Giada Goracci, and Rosagemma Ciliberti. “Thomas Percival. Discussing the Foundation of Medical Ethics.” Acta Biomedica 89, no. 3 (September 1, 2018): 343–48. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v89i3.7050.
Pereira Mbchb Msc, J. “EUTHANASIA: THE SAFEGUARD ILLUSION E38 Current OnCOlOgy-VOlume 18, Number 2 Legalizing Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide: The Illusion of Safeguards and Controls,” March 18, 2011. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v18i2.883.
Picón-Jaimes, Yelson Alejandro, Ivan David Lozada-Martinez, Javier Esteban Orozco-Chinome, Lina María Montaña-Gómez, María Paz Bolaño-Romero, Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar, Tariq Janjua, and Sabrina Rahman. “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: An in-Depth Review of Relevant Historical Aspects.” Annals of Medicine and Surgery. Elsevier Ltd, March 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103380.
Spina, Bernadette. “ETHICAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ACTIVE EUTHANASIA,” December 1998. https://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=jolpi&utm.
“States Where Medical Aid in Dying Is Authorized - Compassion & Choices.” Https://Compassionandchoices.Org/. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://compassionandchoices.org/states-where-medical-aid-in-dying-is-authorized/.
Talal. Holy Quran. Translated by TALAL ITANI, 2012. www.ClearQuran.com.
Thane Josef Messinger. “A Gentle and Easy Death_ From Ancient Greece to Beyond Cruzan Tow.” Denver Law Review 71 (January 1993): 175–251. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2274&context=dlr&utm.
Vilela, Luciana Pricoli, and Paulo Caramelli. “O Conhecimento Da Definição de Eutanásia: Estudo Com Médicos e Cuidadores de Pacientes Com Doença de Alzheimer.” Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira 55, no. 3 (2009): 263–67. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-42302009000300016.
“Why the Hippocratic Oath Prohibits Physician-Assisted Suicide - Public Discourse.” Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2019/11/57243/?utm.
Dahlan, Moh, Mohammad Reevany Bustami, Makmur, and Siti Mas’ulah. “The Islamic Principle of Ḥifẓ Al-Nafs (Protection of Life) and COVID-19 in Indonesia: A Case Study of Nurul Iman Mosque of Bengkulu City.” Heliyon 7, no. 7 (2021): e07541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07541.