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Can Muslim Physicians Prescribe Prohibited Medications to Non-Muslims?

07 August, 2024
Q Is it permissible for Muslim physicians to prescribe prohibited medications to non-Muslims?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

Concerning any issue that has a respected difference of opinion among the scholars of Islam, it is not obligatory to make non-Muslim patients adhere to what we consider the strongest opinion.


Answering your question, The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, states:

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Concerning any issue that has a respected difference of opinion among the scholars of Islam, it is not obligatory to make non-Muslim patients adhere to what we consider the strongest opinion. Among the treatments that have been subject to differing opinions, and which are permissible to prescribe to non-Muslims, are: impure medications (except for pure alcohol, due to the weakness of the disagreement regarding it), narcotics and marijuana (within legal and professional standards), musical instruments, cosmetic surgeries that are subject to differing opinions, abortion before the ensoulment, and the like.

The same ruling of permissibility applies to anything that is not absolutely prohibited in all circumstances, such as tubal ligation, preventive surgeries, and artificial insemination of an egg with sperm from someone other than the legal husband due to the inability to ascertain their circumstances and verify the legitimacy of the relationship according to their arrangements and systems, especially since there are Muslims themselves who do not register their marriage.

The following are forbidden: to lie to the patient and mislead them, such as encouraging them to undergo gender reassignment surgery without the presence of an organic disorder, or to continue in a prohibited relationship.

It is also prohibited to alter the creation of Allah and to remove a healthy organ without cause, which includes gender reassignment surgeries for those who are physically healthy.

It is prohibited to prescribe pure alcohol, as it is not considered a remedy in Shari`ah or medicine. Assisting in what is called “euthanasia” is also prohibited.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: AMJA Online.

About AMJA
Permanent Fatwa Committee of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA)