Guidance about removal of life supportCategory: QuestionsGuidance about removal of life support
Syed sabih hussain asked 3 weeks ago

Salaam Alaikum,
 
A Muslim patient is unconscious and not responding. He is not brain-dead and still has brainstem reflexes. He is on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and mechanical life support. His heart is still beating.
 
The medical team says that the treatment is futile, death is imminent, and there is no hope of recovery or survival. His kidneys are not responding and lungs have ARDS.
 
In this case, is it permissible in Shia Islam to turn off life support and allow natural death to occur?
 
May Allah bless you.

1 Answers
Fiqh Department Staff answered 3 weeks ago

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
We hope this answer finds you in high Islamic spirit.
Since he has been attached to the life support, it is not allowed to disconnect him or her from it.