The Islamic Responsibility of the Sick and those tending to the Sick

It is the opinion of some people that there is no need to find out what is permissible and what is prohibited when seeking medical treatment. It is as if the sick person is not answerable for any of his actions. Based on this, they also feel that the sick person's doctor also has full liberty to do whatever he pleases. This is incorrect. Such people should understand that a sick person does not go out of the boundaries of Allah's power. Allah Ta'ala has the right of possession over every person's life and wealth. It is in this light that Allah Ta'ala has said: "If We were to ordain for them: 'Lay down your lives', or, 'forsake your homelands', only a very few of them would do it - although if they did what they are admonished to do, it would indeed be for their own good." ( Surah an-Nisaa' , verse 66)

We learn from this that Allah Ta'ala also has the right to order us to intentionally kill ourselves (i.e. commit suicide). It is only because of the kindness of Allah Ta'ala, that despite being able to order us to do this, He did not ask us to bear such difficulties. At the same time, He did not leave us completely free. Instead, He laid down certain rules and regulations when seeking medical treatment. These rules and regulations are such that if we had to ponder over them with an open mind, we will find that there are certain concessions and leeways. They are not as restrictive as the laws of a government. As a form of appreciation for this kindness on the part of Allah Ta'ala, man should be prepared to sacrifice his wealth and life in order to safeguard himself from sins. He should never ever seek illegal and prohibited forms of medical treatment. When a person is sick, he should never ever act contrary to the fataawaa (legal verdicts) of the ulama . A sick person is in need of this more than a normal healthy person because the latter has some hope of being granted a respite, whereas sickness is the stepping stone to death. Outwardly too, one can see that death is approaching. What sort of intelligence is it that a person dies a sinner? (by seeking prohibited forms of medical treatment). Some servants of Allah were such that while they were in the throes of death and undergoing severe difficulties, even at such a time they did not leave out acts that are mustahab . A few friends of theirs told them that when in difficulty, mustahab acts are automatically dropped off. They replied: "The difficulty is for a little while more. What is the need to lose the reward of a mustahab act at the time of death?" A sick person experiences many difficulties and is in the hands of others. It is therefore necessary for all those who are taking care of him to take due consideration of his salaat and all the other necessary aspects of Deen . Even if the sick person presents excuses, they should give him confidence and save him from sins. If the person caring for the sick is religiously minded and prepared (to do everything according to the Shariah for the sick person) there is great hope for the sick person to be in control of himself at the time of death (and to die on Imaan ). If this is not the case, the sin will not be borne on the sick person alone. Instead, all those who were taking care of him will also be sinning. In fact, greater punishment will be inflicted on those caring for him because the sick person was under their control (they could have ordered him to do whatever they wished). It is therefore necessary for everyone - the sick and those caring for the sick - to find out the necessary masa'il with regard to medical treatment just as they find out the other masa'il with regard to salaat , fasting, zakaat , etc. If they have any doubt, they should consult the ulama .