FatwaNationalMedicine & Health
Hukum Eutanasia atau Mercy Killing
What is the Islamic ruling on euthanasia or mercy killing?
Short answer
The Muzakarah ruled that euthanasia or mercy killing, whether voluntary, non-voluntary or involuntary, is forbidden because it amounts to killing and conflicts with medical ethics in Malaysia.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM)
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Kompilasi Pandangan Hukum Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa MKI (JAKIM, terbitan 2016)
- Topic
- Medicine & Health
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Muzakarah ruled that euthanasia or mercy killing, whether voluntary, non-voluntary or involuntary, is forbidden because it amounts to killing and conflicts with medical ethics in Malaysia. Withdrawing respiratory support is permitted once medical specialists confirm death of the heart and/or brain, or brain death with the consent of the closest heirs and confirmation by two specialists not involved in organ donation. Main treatment may also be stopped for patients with no hope of recovery who have been allowed home, and giving painkillers that may affect life is permissible provided the aim is not to hasten death. Removing support devices used for other purposes, such as draining fluid to ease breathing, is not allowed.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
perbuatan mempercepatkan kematian melalui amalan eutanasia (samada Eutanasia Voluntary, Non-Voluntary atau Involuntary) atau mercy killing adalah haram menurut Islam kerana ia menyamai perbuatan membunuh
Read the full fatwa on the National website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM). “Hukum Eutanasia atau Mercy Killing”, 17 December 2011. https://www.islam.gov.my/images/ePenerbitan/KOMPILASI_MUZAKARAH_MKI_2016.pdf#hukum-eutanasia-atau-mercy-killing. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-euthanasia-or-mercy-killing/