Islamic biomedical ethics

By Abdulaziz Abdulhussein Sachedina

Book Description

Modern medical advances present profound ethical dilemmas that challenge traditional religious frameworks, yet Islamic scholarship has struggled to find its place in contemporary bioethical discourse. Abdulaziz Sachedina bridges this critical gap by developing a sophisticated methodology that connects classical Muslim religious principles with the complex moral questions arising from today's medical research and practice.

Rather than relying solely on existing legal rulings, Sachedina delves beneath surface-level juridical decisions to uncover the fundamental reasoning that determines ethical rightness or wrongness within Islamic tradition. Drawing from diverse Muslim theological sources, he constructs a framework for moral reasoning that honors the spirit of Islamic law while remaining flexible enough to address unprecedented ethical challenges.

The author applies this methodology to life-and-death questions that span the human experience, examining issues such as abortion, end-of-life care, and organ donation through an Islamic lens. What makes this work particularly significant is its commitment to interfaith dialogue, seeking common ground with Jewish and Christian ethical traditions rather than operating in isolation.

Sachedina argues for connecting Islamic theological ethics organically with legal tradition, creating space for meaningful conversation with both secular bioethics and scripture-based approaches from other faith communities. This groundbreaking approach offers readers not just answers, but a thoughtful process for navigating the intersection of faith, medicine, and moral responsibility in our rapidly evolving world.