The living will (Wasiyat Al-Hayy): a study of its legality in the light of Islamic jurisprudence.
Death is an inevitable phenomenon which strikes at any time during a person's infancy, youth or old age. But, one cannot overlook the fact that before the inevitable (i.e. death) does take place a person may become a victim of a terminal illness, or may lapse into irreversible coma, or persistent vegetative state (PVS). In various countries, an increasing number of healthy people have appended their signatures on what is called the Living Will (Advanced Medical Directive), which is in effect a document safeguarding their right to die. This paper discusses the clauses embodied in the Living Will from an Islamic ethico-legal perspective with the aim of ascertaining its validity.
Ebrahim
A F
AF
Department of Islamic Studies, University of Durban-Westville, South Africa.
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D016224:Living Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013019:South Africa