The Prophet’s Guidance on Physical Activity

It is a fact that the body relies on food and drink for its survival. It is also a fact that the not all food and nourishment is digested when consumed. Rather, a part of it remains and as time goes by these substances accumulate in various qualities and quantities in the body. These accumulations harm the body because they cause clogs in different vessels and make the body feel heavy. If one gets rid of these substances by extracting them with medication, the body is harmed because most of these medications are toxic to various degrees. In fact, the medication extracts the beneficial substances, the body is harmed when they heat up, spoil, become cold or weaken the natural heat and energy from fully maturing the excess substances.

The clogs caused by the residual substances are harmful whether they remain in the body or get extracted. Moving about is one of the best methods to deny these substances the chance to accumulate. Moving heats the organs and dissipates the leftover substances disallowing them from accumulating by the passage of time. The body will also get used to being energetic and light through physical activity and would optimize the intake of food, firm up the joints, strengthen the muscles and the ligaments. Moderate physical activity immunizes the body against most ailments and mood changes, providing the activity is done at the right time and under the proper circumstances.
Physical activity should be practiced after one has digested their food. In addition, moderate physical activity is that which gives the cheeks color and nourishes the body. As for the activity that causes sweat, it is too excessive.
Any organ that is used regularly in a type of physical activity will get stronger, especially during enjoyable sports in which the organ is used. Those who practice sports regularly will strengthen their bodies and those who nourish their memory will make it stronger. Every organ has its own suitable sport and physical activity. For instance, the chest needs recitation, where one should start speaking with a low tone and then increase the volume. The ears needs to hear various sounds and voices, gradually from softer to louder ones. The tongue needs to speak, and the eyes need to see, the legs need to walk while increasing the pace gradually.
Horse riding, archery, wrestling, and running are sports for the whole body. These sports dissipate chronic ailments such as Leprosy, Dropsy, and constipation.
Furthermore, the heart needs a type of sport that entails learning, behaving, and feeling happiness, joy, patience, firmness, courage, forbearing, performing righteous good deeds and so forth. Patience, love courage and kindness are among the best types of sports or physical activity for the inner-self. When the heart learns these types of physical activities little by little, these attributes will firmly reside in the heart and will be a characteristic of that person.
In short, when you learn the Prophets’ (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) guidance in this regard you will realize that it is the most perfect and beneficial and it preserves good health and the power of the body. It is also beneficial for the worldly affairs and the Next Life.
Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
Page 219 - 220
Umm Su’aad Haneefah
KSA
Filed under: Isu Semasa, Pelbagai, Umum

Isu-isu Perubatan Menurut Perspektif Hukum

Kemajuan dunia perubatan hari ini telah banyak memberi manfaat kepada kehidupan manusia sejagat. Banyak penemuan baru telah dicapai di dalam kaedah rawatan melalui pelbagai cara dan peralatan yang canggih. Ia  dianggap sebagai satu pencapaian yang gemilang dan bukti kebijaksaan manusia.
 Dari sudut yang lain pula, pencapaian ini merupakan satu cabaran kepada para mujtahid yang terdiri daripada sarjana perundangan Islam yang seharusnya melihat fenomena ini dengan penuh kepekaan dan rasa tanggungjawab.
  Justeru itu, para ulama’ hari ini perlu tampil ke hadapan untuk menjawab pelbagai persoalan yang dikemukakan oleh masyarakat berkenaan hukum dan perkara-perkara yang berkaitan dengannya.  Baca Artikel Penuh

Filed under: Isu Semasa, Nota Kitab, Pelbagai

Darah Wanita & Kefardhuan Dari Sudut Fiqh

Larangan Keatas Perempuan Haidh

1. Solat.

Masalah :

i- Jika suci pada masa yang sempat serakaat sembahyang maka wajib ditunaikan solat tersebut dengan tiada khilaf.

ii- Jika tidak sempat masa serakaat sembahyang maka qaul yang asah wajib ia qadha sembahyang tersebut bersama sembahyang sebelumnya yang harus jamak.

iii- Jika datang haidh dalam waktu solat yang belum ditunaikan maka wajib diqadha jika sempat masa sekurang-kurang solat dan tidak wajib qadha jika tidak sempat masa sekurang-kurang solat menurut pendapat yang sahih.

iv- Pendapat yang mewajibkan perempuan haidh berwuduk dan bertasbih pada waktu-waktu solat adalah dhaif. [Baca lagi...]

Filed under: Ibadah, Nota Kitab, Wanita

Daruratnya Berubat

Daruratnya berubat, iaitu ketergantungan sembuhnya suatu penyakit pada memakan sesuatu dari barang-barang yang diharamkan itu. Dalam hal ini para ulama fiqih berbeza pendapat. Di antara mereka ada yang berpendapat, berubat itu tidak dianggap sebagai darurat yang sangat memaksa seperti halnya makan.

 Pendapat ini didasarkan pada sebuah hadis Nabi yang mengatakan: “Sesungguhnya Allah tidak menjadikan kesembuhanmu dengan sesuatu yang Ia haramkan atas kamu.” (Riwayat Bukhari)

 Sementara mereka ada juga yang menganggap keadaan seperti itu sebagai keadaan darurat, sehingga dianggapnya berubat itu seperti makan, dengan alasan bahawa kedua-duanya itu sebagai suatu keharusan kelangsungan hidup. Dalil yang dipakai oleh golongan yang membolehkan makan haram kerana berubat yang sangat memaksakan itu, ialah hadis Nabi yang sehubungan dengan perkenan beliau untuk memakai sutera kepada Abdur-Rahman bin Auf dan az-Zubair bin Awwam yang justru kerana penyakit yang diderita oleh kedua orang tersebut, padahal memakai sutera pada dasarnya adalah terlarang dan diancam.

 Barangkali pendapat inilah yang lebih mendekati kepada jiwa Islam yang selalu melindungi kehidupan manusia dalam seluruh perundang-undangan dan rekomendasinya.

 Tetapi perkenan (rukhsah) dalam menggunakan ubat yang haram itu harus dipenuhinya syarat-syarat sebagai berikut:

 1. Terdapat bahaya yang mengancam kehidupan manusia jika tidak berubat.
 2. Tidak ada ubat lain yang halal sebagai ganti ubat yang haram itu.
 3. Adanya suatu pernyataan dari seorang dokter muslim yang dapat dipercaya, baik pemeriksaannya mahupun agamanya (i’tikad baiknya).

 Kami katakan demikian sesuai dengan apa yang kami ketahui, dari realita yang ada dari hasil penyelidikan dokter-dokter yang terpercava, bahawa tidak ada darurat yang membolehkan makan barang-barang yang haram seperti ubat. Tetapi kami menetapkan suatu prinsip di atas adalah sekadar ikhtiyat’ (bersiap-siap dan berhati-hati) yang sangat berguna bagi setiap muslim, yang kadang-kadang dia berada di suatu tempat yang di situ tidak ada ubat kecuali yany haram.

Filed under: Isu Semasa, Nota Kitab, Pelbagai, Umum

ASAL TIAP-TIAP SESUATU ADALAH MUBAH (MEMBOLEHKAN)

DASAR pertama yang ditetapkan Islam, ialah: bahawa asal sesuatu yang dicipta Allah adalah halal dan mubah. Tidak ada satupun yang haram, kecuali kerana ada nas yang sah dan tegas dari syari’ (yang berwenang membuat hukum itu sendiri, iaitu Allah dan Rasul) yang mengharamkannya. Kalau tidak ada nas yang sah –misalnya kerana ada sebahagian Hadis lemah– atau tidak ada nas yang tegas (sharih) yang menunjukkan haram, maka hal tersebut tetap sebagaimana asalnya, iaitu mubah.

 Ulama-ulama Islam mendasarkan ketetapannya, bahawa segala sesuatu asalnya mubah, seperti tersebut di atas, dengan dalil ayat-ayat al-Quran yang antara lain:

 “Dialah Zat yang menjadikan untuk kamu apa-apa yang ada di bumi ini semuanya.” (al-Baqarah: 29)

 “(Allah) telah memudahkan untuk kamu apa-apa yang ada di langit dan apa-apa yang ada di bumi semuanya daripadaNya.” (al-Jatsiyah: 13)

 “Belum tahukah kamu, bahawa sesungguhnya Allah telah memudahkan untuk kamu apa-apa yang ada di langit dan apa-apa yang ada di bumi; dan Ia telah sempurnakan buat kamu nikmat-nikmatNya yang nampak mahupun yang tidak nampak.” (Luqman: 20)

 Allah tidak akan membuat segala-galanya ini yang diserahkan kepada manusia dan dikurniakannya, kemudian Dia sendiri mengharamkannya. Kalau tidak begitu, buat apa Ia jadikan, Dia serahkan kepada manusia dan Dia kurniakannya?

 Beberapa hal yang Allah haramkan itu, justeru kerana ada sebab dan hikmat, yang –insya Allah– akan kita sebutkan nanti.

 Dengan demikian arena haram dalam syariat Islam itu sebenarnya sangat sempit sekali; dan arena halal malah justeru sangat luas. Hal ini adalah justeru nas-nas yang sahih dan tegas dalam hal-haram, jumlahnya sangat minim sekali. Sedang sesuatu yang tidak ada keterangan halal-haramnya, adalah kembali kepada hukum asal iaitu halal dan termasuk dalam kategori yang dima’fukan Allah.

 Untuk soal ini ada satu Hadis yang menyatakan sebagai berikut: “Apa saja yang Allah halalkan dalam kitabNya, maka dia adalah halal, dan apa saja yang Ia haramkan, maka dia itu adalah haram; sedang apa yang Ia diamkannya, maka dia itu dibolehkan (ma’fu). Oleh kerana itu terimalah dari Allah kemaafannya itu, sebab sesungguhnya Allah tidak bakal lupa sedikitpun.” Kemudian Rasulullah membaca ayat: dan Tuhanmu tidak lupa [2]. (Riwayat Hakim dan Bazzar)

 ”Rasulullah s.aw. pernah ditanya tentang hukumnya samin, keju dan keledai hutan, maka jawab beliau: Apa yang disebut halal ialah: sesuatu yang Allah halalkan dalam kitabNya; dan yang disebut haram ialah: sesuatu yang Allah haramkan dalam kitabNya; sedang apa yang Ia diamkan, maka dia itu salah satu yang Allah maafkan buat kamu.” (Riwayat Tarmizi dan lbnu Majah)

 Rasulullah tidak ingin memberikan jawaban kepada si penanya dengan menerangkan satu persatunya, tetapi beliau mengembalikan kepada suatu kaidah yang kiranya dengan kaidah itu mereka dapat diharamkan Allah, sedang lainnya halal dan baik.

 Dan sabda beliau juga, “Sesungguhnya Allah telah mewajibkan beberapa kewajiban, maka jangan kamu sia-siakan dia; dan Allah telah memberikan beberapa batas, maka jangan kamu langgar dia; dan Allah telah mengharamkan sesuatu, maka jangan kamu pertengkarkan dia; dan Allah telah mendiamkan beberapa hal sebagai tanda kasihnya kepada kamu, Dia tidak lupa, maka jangan kamu perbincangkan dia.” (Riwayat Daraquthni, dihasankan oleh an-Nawawi)

 Di sini ingin pula saya jelaskan, bahawa kaidah asal segala sesuatu adalah halal ini tidak hanya terbatas dalam masalah benda, tetapi meliputi masalah perbuatan dan pekerjaan yang tidak termasuk daripada urusan ibadah, iaitu yang biasa kita istilahkan dengan Adat atau Mu’amalat. Dasar dalam masalah ini tidak haram dan tidak terikat, kecuali sesuatu yang memang oleh syari’ sendiri telah diharamkan dan dikonkritkannya sesuai dengan firman Allah:

 “Dan Allah telah memerinci kepadamu sesuatu yang Ia telah haramkan atas kamu.” (al-An’am: 119)

 Ayat ini umum, meliputi soal-coal makanan, perbuatan dan lain-lain.

 Berbeza sekali dengan urusan ibadah. Dia itu semata-mata urusan agama yang tidak ditetapkan, melainkan dari jalan wahyu. Untuk itulah, maka terdapat dalam suatu Hadis Nabi yang mengatakan:

 ”Barangsiapa membuat cara baru dalam urusan kami, dengan sesuatu yang tidak ada contohnya, maka dia itu tertolak.” (Riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

 Ini, adalah kerana hakikat AGAMA –atau katakanlah IBADAH– itu tercermin dalam dua hal, iaitu:

  1. Hanya Allah lah yang disembah.
  2. Untuk menyembah Allah, hanya dapat dilakukan menurut apa yang disyariatkannya.

 Oleh kerana itu, barangsiapa mengada-ada suatu cara ibadah yang timbul dari dirinya sendiri –apapun macamnya– adalah suatu kesesatan yang harus ditolak. Sebab hanya syari’lah yang berhak menentukan cara ibadah yang dapat dipakai untuk bertaqarrub kepadaNya.

 Adapun masalah Adat atau Mu’amalat, sumbernya bukan dari syari’, tetapi manusia itu sendiri yang menimbulkan dan mengadakan. Syari’ dalam hal ini tugasnya adalah untuk membetulkan, meluruskan, mendidik dan mengakui, kecuali dalam beberapa hal yang memang akan membawa kerusakan dan mudharat.

 Syaikhul Islam Ibnu Taimiyah berkata: “Sesungguhnya sikap manusia, baik yang berbentuk omongan ataupun perbuatan ada dua macam: ibadah untuk kemaslahatan agamanya, dan kedua adat (kebiasaan) yang sangat mereka perlukan demi kemaslahatan dunia mereka Maka dengan terperincinya dasar-dasar syariat, kita dapat mengakui, bahawa seluruh ibadah yang telah dibenarkannya, hanya dapat ditetapkan dengan ketentuan syara’ itu sendiri.”

 Adapun masalah Adat iaitu yang biasa dipakai ummat manusia demi kemaslahatan dunia mereka sesuai dengan apa yang mereka perlukan, semula tidak terlarang. Semuanya boleh, kecuali hal-hal yang oleh Allah dilarangnya Demikian itu adalah kerana perintah dan larangan, kedua-duanya disyariatkan Allah. Sedang ibadah adalah termasuk yang mesti diperintah. Oleh kerana itu sesuatu, yang tidak diperintah, bagaimana mungkin dihukumi terlarang.

 Imam Ahmad dan beberapa ahli fiqih lainnya berpendapat: asas dalam urusan ibadah adalah tauqif (bersumber pada ketetapan Allah dan Rasul). Oleh kerana itu ibadah tersebut tidak boleh dikerjakan, kecuali kalau ternyata telah disyariatkan oleh Allah. Kalau tidak demikian, berarti kita akan termasuk dalam apa yang disebutkan Allah:

 “Apakah mereka itu mempunyai sekutu yang mengadakan agama untuk mereka, sesuatu yang tidak diizinkan oleh Allah?” (as-Syura: 21)

 Sedang dalam persoalan Adat prinsipnya boleh. Tidak satupun yang terlarang, kecuali yang memang telah diharamkan. Kalau tidak demikian, maka kita akan termasuk dalam apa yang dikatakan Allah:

 “Katakanlah! Apakah kamu sudah mengetahui sesuatu yang diturunkan Allah untuk kamu daripada rezeki, kemudian kamu jadikan daripadanya itu haram dan halal? Katakanlah! Apakah Allah telah memberi izin kepadamu, ataukah kamu memang berdusta atas (nama) Allah?” (Yunus: 59)

 Ini adalah suatu kaidah yang besar sekali manfaatnya. Dengan dasar itu pula kami berpendapat: bahawa jual-bell, hibah, sewa-menyewa dan lain-lain adat yang selalu diperlukan manusia untuk mengatur kehidupan mereka seperti makan, minum dan pakaian. Agama membawakan beberapa etika yang sangat baik sekali, iaitu mana yang sekiranya membawa bahaya, diharamkan; sedang yang mesti, diwajibkannya. Yang tidak layak, dimakruhkan; sedang yang jelas membawa maslahah, disunnatkan.

 Dengan dasar itulah maka manusia dapat melakukan jual-beli dan sewa-menyewa sesuka hatinya, selama dia itu tidak diharamkan oleh syara’. Begitu juga mereka boleh makan dan minum sesukanya, selama dia itu tidak diharamkan oleh syara’, sekalipun sebahagiannya ada yang oleh syara’ kadangkadang disunnatkan dan ada kalanya dimakruhkan. Sesuatu yang oleh syara’ tidak diberinya pembatasan, mereka dapat menetapkan menurut kemutlakan hukum asal [3].

 Prinsip di atas, sesuai dengan apa yang disebut dalam Hadis Nabi yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Bukhari, dari Jabir bin Abdillah, ia berkata: “Kami pemah melakukan ‘azl’ [4], sedang waktu itu al-Quran masih turun; kalau hal tersebut dilarang, niscaya al-Quran akan melarangnya.”

 Ini menunjukkan, bahawa apa saja yang didiamkan oleh wahyu, bukanlah terlarang. Mereka bebas untuk mengerjakannya, sehingga ada nas yang melarang dan mencegahnya.

 Demikianlah salah satu daripada kesempurnaan kecerdasan para sahabat. Dan dengan ini pula, ditetapkan suatu kaidah: “Soal ibadah tidak boleh dikerjakan kecuali dengan syariat yang ditetapkan Allah; dan suatu hukum adat tidak boleh diharamkan, kecuali dengan ketentuan yang diharamkan oleh Allah.”
_____________________________________

Catatan kaki:

[2] Maryam.

[3] Qawaidun Nuraniyah al-Fiqhiyah oleh Ibnu Tarmiyah, hal 112-113.

[4] ‘Azl iaitu mengeluarkan mani di luar kemaluan perempuan ketika bersanggama.

Filed under: Isu Semasa, Nota Kitab, Pelbagai, Umum

Recommendations of the 9th Fiqh-Medical Seminar

Transformation, Additives in Food and Medicine
and Substances, actions thatn nullify the Fasting

 Recommendations of the 9th
Fiqh-Medical
Seminar

Discussion
Recommendations
Substances and actions that nullify the fasting

Thanks be to God, Lord of all being, and God’s peace and  blessings be upon the seal of the prophets and messengers, Muhammad, and upon his family and all ofhis companions.

In its specialised seminars and conferences, the Islamic Organjsation for Medical Sciences (IOMS) has always taken the initiative to put forward for debate new contemporary medical issues with the view of formulating a proper legal Islamic view and understanding of their significance and impact. These seminars and conferences are always well-attended, bringing together distinguished Muslim jurists and Shari’ah experts, medical practitioners, pharmacologists, and specialists in other human sciences.

Through this process, the IOMS has sought to form a consensus of informed opinion, based on accurate medical knowledge, as a foundation for sound Islamic rulings to be drawn up by competent jurists. It has also sought the involve- ment of other recognised and well-established scientific, cultural and health bodies such as the Islamic Fiqh Academy of  Jeddah, al-Azhar University, the World Health Organisation Regional Office at Alexandria, Egypt, and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO).

With the grace and blessings of God, the 9th Fiqh-Medical Seminar was successfully convened at Casablanca, Morocco, during 8-11 Safar 1418, corresponding to 14-17 June 1997, under the eminent auspices of the Commander of the Faith- ful, His Majesty King Hassan II. The theme of the seminar was “An Islamic View of Certain Contemporary Medical Issues”, and it was held jointly with the Hassan II Institute for Scientific and Medical Research on Ramadhan, the ISESCO, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the World Health Organisation Regional Office.

The Seminar opened, at Safeer Hotel in Casablanca, with recitation from the Glorious Quran, followed by speeches by” Abdul-Hadi Abu Talib, Honorary President of the Hassan II Institute for Scientific and Medical Research on Ramadhan, Dr Muhammad al-Habib Ben-Khoja, Secretary-General of the Islamic Fiqh Academy, Dr Hussain al Jazaeri, Director of the World Health Organisation Regional Office, Dr Abdul- Aziz al-Twajjeri, Director-General of ISESCO, and Dr Ab- dul-Rahrnan al-Awadhi, President of the Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences.
The seminar proceedings covered the following topic:
        1 .Transformation and Additives in Food and Medicine.
        2 .Cloning.
        3 .Substances and actions that nullify the fasting.

Over a period of four days, medical and re]igious aspects of the above topjcs were debated, durjng whjch period, the  distinguished particjpants examined and discussed in depth all the views and opjnions presented. The Seminar concluded  with the suggestions and recommendations given below.
      1. Transformation and Additives in Food and Medicine
 The Seminar endorsed all the recommendations made at the 8th Seminar under Section II, on impermissible and defiled foods and medicines.

Furthermore, the Seminar discussed the medical and Fiqh  aspects of this issue and concluded that additives in foods and medicines that originate from defiled or forbidden substances may be made permissible by two methods:
        
A. “Transformation”

The Seminar made reference to Recommendation 11(8) made at the 8th Fiqh-Medical Seminar with respect to transformation.

Transformation, from the Fiqh point of view, is defined as “changing the nature of the defiled or forbidden substance to produce a different substance in name, properties and characteristics.” In common scientific terms, this refers to all new compounds produced by chemical reaction, such as the manufacture of soap from oils and fats, or the decomposition of substances such as fats and oils into various compounds such as fatty acids and ‘glycerol. Chemical reactions result from deliberate technical and scientific processes as well as due to invisible processes, as the Islamic Fiqh experts had pointed out, such as acetification, tanning and burning. This leads to the following conclusions:

1. Additive compounds extracted from prohibited animals or defiled substances which are “transformed” as given above, may be considered as clean and permissible for consumption or as medicine.

2. Chemical components extracted from prohibited or defiled substances, such as blood or sewer water that have not undergone a chemical transformation, according to the terms given above, are not permitted for consumption or for use as medicine. This includes the following:

All foodstuffs containing blood as a primary ingredient, such as blood sausages, black pudding, hamburgers, baby foods, pastries, soups and sauces. As for blood plasma, a cheap egg-white substitute usual- ly used in pastries, pies, soups, sausages, hamburgers, cakes, biscuits, puddings, bread, dairy products, and baby foods and medicines, and may in some cases be added to flour, the Seminar decided, however , that it has different properties and charac- teristics from blood and would, therefore, not be subject to the same ruling. Some participants, however, did not agree with this view.

B. Consumption or Assimilation

This refers to the blendjng of a small amount of a prohibited or defiled substance with a dominant clean and permissible one resulting in the obliteration of the prohibited or defiled substance altogether. This would be the case if the properties of the dominant substance, such as taste, colour and smell overwhelm the weaker substance which is completely assimilated into the dominant one, as in the following examples:

1 .Additives containing very small amounts of alcohol which are used in foods or medicines, such as colourings, preservatives, emulsifiers and anti-acids.

2 .Lecithin and cholesterol, extracted from defiled non- transformed substances may be used in food and medi- cine in very small quantities, having been assimilated into a dominant clean and permissible mixture.

3. Enzymes obtained from pigs, such as pepsin and most digestive yeasts, used in negligible (infinitisemal) quantities in food and medicine.

The Seminar concluded the following:

1.Artificial solvents, carriers and thrusting substances used in pressurised containers for a beneficial or legitimate purpose, are permissible. However, if they are used to obtain drugging or hallucinatory effects, through inhalation, they would be impermissible, due to their effects.

2 .There is no objection in the Shari’ah to the use of gold ” by men for purposes of medical treatment, such as  dental crowns, bridges …etc.; but not solely for cos metic or adornrnen t purposes which is not permissible.

3 .In principle, the Shari’ah forbids the wearing of natural silk by men, with the exception of medica] cases such as allergies, scabies, itching.

4 .The use of heart valves of pigs is permissible, as a matter of necessity.

2. Human Cloning

A. Introduction
   The IOMS convened a seminar in 1983 on “Reproduction in Islam”, in which two papers were presented dealing with the possibility of human cloning as a Tesult of successful cloning in plants, frogs and small marine animals. The Semi”1 nar made the following recommendation:

“To exercise prudence in giving a Shari’ah- based opinion on human cloning (as achieved in animals) and to call for further medical and Islamic investigation of these issues. It would be possible to apply genetic engineering of micro-organisms using the recombinant DNA technology to produce medicinal substances in abundant supply .”

Since 1993, when an identical twin was produced by splitting a fertilised egg, and later when cloning of ‘Dolly’ the sheep was announced in February 1997, cloning has returned  into the forefront of medical debate with much intensity and urgency. Then followed an announcement on the successful cloning of two monkeys at the University of Oregon in the United States of America. Since the techniques used in these operations are supposedly adequate for use on humans, the  matter has assumed fresh urgency and provoked strong reactions.

Although no announcements of human cloning have yet been made, the need to pre-empt that possibility and understand its potential implications and draw up appropriate legal and moral responses to it, has moved several Western countries to ban or suspend, for a number of years, experiments involving humans in order to allow further investigation of the matter .

For these reasons, the IOMS has taken the initiative to put this matter up for discussion at the Seminar .

B. Defining Cloning

Cloning is the production of two or more beings that are complete genetic copies of one another. There are two types of cloning:

I. Cloning by induced identical twinning. As the fertilized egg splits into two cells, each of them is then induced to make a fresh start and behave as if it were the original fertilised egg. Each half would then grow into a separate foetus, and having come from the same fertilised egg, they would be carrying exactly identical genetic components.

II. Ordinary cloning, which is achieved by injecting a nucleus from a somatic cell of an adult animal into an egg whose nucleus had been removed. The cell would then grow into a foetus that would be a true genetic copy of the adult living animal from which the somatic cell nucleus was taken.

C. Discussion

The Seminar discussed at length the medical aspects of this , matter, and arrived at the following main conclusions relating to cloning:

1 .In 1993, human twins were produced by the splitting method, which stimulates the fertilised egg to follow its natural course towards producing identical twins. Each of the initial two daughter cells would then behave as a new fertilised egg in its own right and would grow by dividing itself to form a separate foetus. If the two foetuses were planted in the womb, the result would be identical twins. The debate was not completed since the two scientists in charge of the experiment refrained from planting the eggs in the womb. In fact, they chose to experiment with a defective cell that would divide only until an early stage, due to the sensitivity and seriousness of experimenting with human foetuses- More time is, therefore, required to establish a proper ethical and legal framework for this type of work.
The Seminar had no objections, in principle, to this method of fertilisation, but deemed it too early to evaluate its advantages and disadvantages. Of its immediate benefits is the application of diagnostic methods on either twin or some ofits cells to establish their normalcy before introduction into the womb. It could also be useful in treating certain infertility cases, subject to all the controls governing test-tube baby procedures. The Seminar discussed thoroughly the new techniques of cloning, in the light of the case of Dolly the sheep and looked at some of the consequences of producing a foetus (later to be born), which is an exact genetic copy of the original, except for the presence of a very few cytoplasmic genes in the cytoplasm of the recipient egg.

2. It emerged that .cloning would be fraught with risk, if ever its application is approved. The risks include the infringement on the individuality and identity of the person, undermining the stability of the social order, and the destruction of the bases of blood relationships and established age-old family ties, recognised by the Islamic Shari’ah and all other religions as the foundation of the family and of social order. This would have serious repercussions on the principles governing blood ties, marriage and inheritance, as well as on civil, criminal and other laws. Numerous hypotheses and possibi- lities were cited in this connection.

The Seminar rejected outright as haram any proposals that would impinge on the legal marriage contractor -introducing a third party into it.

Some distinguished Islamic jurists cited certain ideological, ethical and juridical rulings and principles that had direct relevance to the cloning issue.

3 . Reference was also made to the fact that public reaction to cloning in certain Western countries, including those where its researches were carried out, was extremely strong and reflected deep reservations. Some of these countries had already banned research on human cloning, while others have withdrawn state funding from such research. Some, however, had suspended research for a number of years and assigned specialist commit- tees to re-examine the issue. The Seminar was concerned that private funding and pharmaceutical com panies might ignore these considerations and pursue research in third world countries, exploiting them to carry out human cloning experiments, as they had done in other cases on many occasions in the past.

4 . The Seminar emphasised that Islam imposes no restrictions on scientific research, but considers it a religious duty and encourages it as a means of understanding God’s traditions in His creation. However, Islam advo.cates that the doors of scientific study should not be left wide open for the application of the results of research in the public domain without proper examination by Shari’ah experts. Not everything that is practicable is necessarily applicable, but should be free of any harmful effects and in line with the rules of Shari’ah.

Since some of the untoward effects do not become apparent untjl some time later, it is important to give full consideration and adequate time to the issues involved and take all possible precautions.

5 . Based on these unanimously agreed considerations, some participants were of the view that human cloning was not permissible in any w.ay, shape or form. Others, however, thought that certaIn, present and future, exceptions may be made, if their benefits are proved and they could be accommodated by the Shari’ah, provided each case is considered on its own merits.

6. In any case, human cloning is still a long way away, and the evaluation of its immediate advantages and disad- vantages may vary with the passage of time. It would, even, be premature to say that after so many years of genetic engineering in plants, its safety for humans has been definitely established. Its applications in animals is as yet in its very early stages. Unpredictability is  probably the greatest concern in this respect. Mankind should not forget the lessons of splitting the atom whose unexpected consequences emerged only after some time. Close monitoring of plant and animal cloning experiments must, therefore, continue for a consid erable time.

7 .The Seminar noted with reg!et that the Muslim world continues to follow blindly in the footsteps of the West in the fields of modern biological sciences. It called for the establishment of the necessary academic institutions to undertake this work according to the teachings of the Shari’ah.

8 .The Seminar sees no objection to the application of cloning and genetic engineering techniques on plants and animals within the considered restrictions.

D. Recommendations

The Seminar passed the following recommendations:

I. All cases introducing third parties into a marriage, whether a womb, an egg, a sperm or a cloning cell are     not permissible.

II. Ordinary human cloning, in which the nucleus of a living somatic cell from an individual is placed into the cytoplasm ofan egg devoid of its nucleus, is not to be permitted. If exceptional cases emerge in the future, they should be considered to verify compliance with the Shari’ah.

III .All Muslim countries are called upon to formulate the necessary legislation to prevent foreign research institutes, organisations and experts from directly or in directly using Muslim countries for experimentation on human cloning or promoting it.

IV. The Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences and other similar bodies are called upon to monitor all  scientific developments in the field of cloning and ) define its terminology and organise seminars and meetings, as required, to determine and articulate the Islamic rulings and principles pertaining thereto.

V. Specialised committees should be set up to look into the ethics of biological research and adopt protocols for study and research in Muslim countries, and prepare a document on foetal rights as a prelude to formulate legislation on the rights of the foetus.

3. Substances and actions that nullify the fasting

According to the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the prophet (pbuh) three actions nullify fasting: eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Therefore, the passing of any solid or liquid sybstance that can be described as food or drink, in any quantity through the gullet would nullify fasting. Accord  ingly, the p.articipants agreed unanimously that the following do not nullIfy fasting.

1. Eye and ear drops, and ear wash.
2. Nitroglycerine tablets placed under the tongue for the treatment of angina.                                                                              
3. Insertion into the vagina of pessaries, medical ovules, vaginal washes, vaginal speculum, and doctor’s or midwife’s fingers during pelvic examination.
4. Insertion of the urethroscope into man or woman radio-opaque media for X-ray diagnosis or bladder irrigation.
5. Tooth drilling, extraction, cleaning or the use of mis-wak and toothbursh, provided nothing is swallowed into the stomach, do not nullify fasting.
6. Injections through the skin or muscle or joints or veins, with the exception ofintravenous feeding.
7 .Blood donation or receiving blood transfusion.
8. Oxygen and anaesthetic gases.
9. All substances absorbed into the body through the skin, such as creams, ointments, and medicated plaster.
10 .Drawing blood samples for laboratory testing.
11 .Catheter and media for arteriography of heart or other organs.
12 .Endoscopy for diagnostic or intervention purposes.
13. Mouth wash, gargle or oral spray, provided nothing  is swallowed into the stomach.
14 .Hysteroscopy or insertion of an intrauterine device.  
15. Biopsy of the liver or other organs.

A majority ofparticipants added the following:

1. Nose drops, nose sprays, and inhalers.
2.  Anal injections, anoscopes, or digital rectal examination.
3. Surgery involving general anaesthetic, if the patient decided to fast.
4. Machine or intraperitoneal renal dialysis.
5. Use of gastroscope, provided it does not entail the introduction of liquids or other substances into the stomach.

On the conclusion of its business, the Seminar was pleased to express its deeply-felt thanks and appreciation to His Majesty, King Hassan II of the Kingdom of Morocco, for his kind support of the Seminar which was hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco. The Seminar prays to God to grant His Majesty and His Heir victory and glory, and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco prosperity and progress. The Seminar further thanks His Majesty’s Government and officials for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.

The Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences wishes to express its sincere thanks to all the participating organisa- tions, including Hassan II Institute for Medical and Scientific Research on Rarnadhan, the ISESCO, the Institute of Islamic Fiqh, Jeddah, and the World Health Orgarusation Regional Office. The IOMS would also like to extend its thanks to all the Islamic jurists, doctors and scientists who have contributed to the successful outcome of this Seminar, praying to God to reward them in a most generous and compassionate way.     God’s peace and mercy be upon you.

Filed under: Ibadah, Isu Semasa

Bedah Siasat Mayat dan Perbincangan Sains

Oleh Salman Amiruddin

Mukaddimah

Dalam kepesatan dunia membangun samada dari segi pembangunan,ekonomi dan teknologi,masalah sosial juga turun meningkat di sebabkan tiadanya keseimbangan di antara kemajuan jasmani dan rohani. Perkara tersebut telah di gambarkan oleh Allah Taala di dalam Alquran dan menegaskan bahawa puncanya adalah perbuatan buruk daripada manusia itu sendiri.
Firman Allah s.w.t:
“Telah timbul berbagai kerosakan dan bala’ bencana di darat dan di lautan dengan sebab apa yang dilakukan oleh tangan manusia,kerana Allah hendak merasakan kepada mereka sebahagian dari balasan perbuatan2 buruk yang mereka telah lakukan”
(Ar-Rum:41)

Sebagai agama yang mampu menjadi penyelesaian kepada setiap masalah yang timbul, islam telah menetapkan qanun dan undang-undang yang berkaitan dengan masalah jenayah,untuk menjadi panduan para hakim dan pemerintah dalam menjatuhkan hukuman kepada penjenayah yang melakukan kesalahan.Undang-undang……baca lagi….

Filed under: Pelbagai

Syariat dan Perubatan

Tulisan oleh Hidir Hassan

Mukaddimah

Status sebagai seorang pelajar yang masih jahil dalam segenap segi tidak melayakkan saya menulis suatu “muqaddimah” untuk himpunan kertas kerja yang akan dibentangkan dalam program ini. Namun sebagai memenuhi permintaan sahabat dan bertasyabbuh dengan sifat para ulama yang tidak bakhil apabila diminta sesuatu, maka saya dengan penuh kekurangan mempersembahkan “muqaddimah” ini kepada teman-teman
saya semua. Lalu saya bahagikan kepada 2 bahagian iaitu bahagian pertama yang umum dan bahagian kedua yang khusus berkaitan pengenalan ulum syariah…baca lagi…

Filed under: Isu Semasa

Bayi Tabung Uji

BAYI TABUNG UJI
MENURUT PERSPEKTIF SAINS
AHMAD SHUIB YAHAYA
Program Thaqafah Online PERUBATAN 2005
30 Mac 2005

PENDAHULUAN
Kelahiran Louise Brown melalui persenyawaan luar rahim (In Vitro Fertilization)
pada 1978 membuka lembaran baru dan merupakan batu loncatan dalam dunia
rawatan reproduksi. Peristiwa berkenaan telah mengubah pilihan rawatan bagi
pasangan yang menghadapi masalah ketidak suburan. Setelah itu, teknik-teknik
penggalak hamil telah berkembang begitu pesat sekali. Dalam tempoh singkat 20
tahun, IVF telah menjadi subjek atau perkara utama dalam teknologi pembiakan
dan klinik-klinik terutamanya di negara maju kini telah melakukan teknik-teknik
rutin yang segenerasi lalu hanya menjadi bualan fiksyen sains.Baca lagi..

Filed under: Isu Semasa

PENGGUNAAN NAJIS DALAM PERUBATAN

PENGGUNAAN NAJIS DALAM PERUBATAN
Ahmad Muhaimin bin Mustapha
Mukadimah
Islam menganjurkan kepada umatnya kehidupan yang sihat dan menggalakkan supaya berubat apabila mengalami kesakitan. Ini sejajar dengan hadis nabi s.a.w yang berbunyi :
[arabic text]
Setiap penyakit itu ada ubatnya, jika tepat ubatnya maka penyakit itu akan sembuh dengan izin Allah. Tidaklah Allah menurunkan suatu penyakit, melainkan Dia juga menurunkan ubat baginya. Namun perkembangan ilmu perubatan yang berjalan seiring dengan…..baca lagi…

Filed under: Isu Semasa, Pelbagai