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New Delhi, Nov 25: Scholars say that the Quran has answers about organ transplant, euthanasia and even, contraceptives

Can a Muslim donate his/her organs? What does Islam say about euthanasia? When it comes to health and hygiene, the holy  Quran has all the answers — it’s only a question of right interpretation, said Dr Shoaib Sayyed, a doctor who in his capacity as the manager for Islam and Comparative religions at the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) has had ample opportunities to research for the answers.

IRF concluded its peace conference recently at Somaiya grounds where religious scholars and experts from across the world discussed various issues affecting the Muslim community, including the portrayal of the community in mainstream media.

“There are three basic things which should be taken into consideration when it comes to organ donation or transplant. One, the person donating his organ should not suffer any health problem as a consequence of his donation. Two, it should be done only if it is life-saving for the recipient. And finally, it should not be done for commercial reasons,” said Sayyed.

Interestingly, even mercy killing is permitted by Islam. According to religious experts, Islam allows ‘passive’ mercy killing. If a person is dying and is being kept alive on machines like a ventilator, then it is allowed to offer the person the option of mercy killing.

If a person is suffering from cancer or a terminal illness or pain, he cannot be offered a means to kill himself. “This would be active killing, and is haram and forbidden in Islam,” said Sayyed.

However, sometimes there is no straightforward verse in the Quran on a particular subject, in which case scholars get together and form an opinion. There have been several instances of these opinions, or fatwas, being formed.

For instance, when it comes to family planning, Islam does not speak of birth control. Permanent methods like vasectomy and tubectomy are haram. This has been unanimously agreed by all scholars, because it “changes the physiology of the human body.” Temporary methods like Copper T are not allowed, as it is actually the ‘early abortion of the zygote.’

“Abortion is against the teaching of Islam, as the Quran says ‘do not kill your children for want of sustenance as Allah provides for all’,” said Sayyed. Barrier methods like condoms are open to interpretation. Some scholars say it may be allowed, he added.

“As a medical practitioner, I would not advocate contraceptive pills either, as over a period of time, they are detrimental to health,” said Sayyed.

Instead, Islam advocates breast-feeding for two years. “This proves as a natural contraceptive as it results in amenorrhea. This ensures a time gap of two years between children,” explained Sayyed.

Islam speaks about proper hygiene too like cutting of nails, unwanted hair and even circumcision.

“How much of this is practiced, however, depends solely on how close to the Quran a person of Muslim faith is,” said Sayyed.