Leading Islamic scholars and medical professionals came together at a seminar organized by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) to address the ethical and religious dimensions of brain death and organ transplantation in Islam.
The event concluded with the signing of a joint declaration affirming that Islam permits organ donation after death — particularly in cases of brain death — as a means to save or improve other human lives.
The declaration emphasized that donating organs after death, with proper consent and ethical compliance, is not only allowed but also considered an act of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) in Islamic teachings.
The scholars agreed on the importance of raising awareness among Muslims about the permissibility and spiritual reward associated with organ donation.
Participants urged healthcare institutions and policymakers to develop clear guidelines supporting organ donation while addressing religious and ethical concerns. Among those who spoke at the awareness seminar were Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi, former CII chairman Allama Muhammad Khan Sherani, Mufti Muhammad Ramzan Sialvi, Dr. Mufti Mazhar Fareed Shah, Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi, Professor Dr. Noor Ahmed Shahtaz, Professor Dr. Asim Ahmed, Dr. Shehzad Anwar, DUHS Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Saeed Quraishy, and Dr. Rashid bin Hamid, President of the Dow Organ Donation Society, Dr. Tauqeer Abbas.
Other notable attendees included Dow’s Scientific Advisor Dr. Sohail Rao, renowned heart transplant specialist Professor Muhammad Mansoor Moheyuddin, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Nazli Hussain, Professor Jehan Ara Hasan, Registrar Ashar Afaq, faculty members, and a large number of students.
In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saeed Quraishi said that Islam places great importance on the sanctity of human life, and thus, organ transplantation is not merely a medical procedure but a significant act of service to humanity. He stressed the importance of religious scholars’ input on such critical matters.
Speaking at the seminar, CII Chairman Allama Naeemi explained that brain death should be confirmed by doctors before any decision to remove life support is made. He clarified that once brain death is declared, removing the ventilator becomes permissible, and organ donation can proceed with prior consent or the family’s approval. He highlighted that the reuse of a ventilator for a patient with a higher survival chance can also be seen as a life-saving act.
Allama Muhammad Khan Sherani acknowledged that Islam permits organ donation but urged that the process be carried out with utmost caution, given the ethical complexities involved. He noted that honesty and fairness are critical, especially in such sensitive matters.
Allama Shahenshah Naqvi emphasized that since Islam highly values the sanctity of life, donating organs to save lives is permissible, provided that the donor is not harmed. He also addressed emerging medical advancements, including the transplantation of animal organs into humans, asserting that saving human life takes precedence over the halal/haram status of the donor animal.
Mufti Ramzan Sialvi referred to the Islamic legal principle of choosing the lesser of two harms, stating that organ donation is permissible if the dignity of the deceased is preserved. Mufti Mazhar Fareed echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of the donor’s intention and the respectful handling of organs.
Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Shahtaz warned against using deceased bodies for unnecessary experiments, especially when artificial organs are available, reaffirming the need to respect human dignity.
Dr. Rashid bin Hamid highlighted that nearly 50,000 lives could be saved annually in Pakistan through organ donation, calling for widespread public awareness to promote this life-saving practice.
The seminar concluded with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Quraishy presenting commemorative shields to participating scholars on behalf of Dow University.
That’s, really very good for the sake of humanity