IS IT HARAM FOR MUSLIMS TO DONATE BLOOD OR ACCEPT BLOOD FROM A NON-MUSLIM?

I have been told its Haram for Muslims to donate blood as equivalent to organ donor. I wonder how far it is true. Since non Muslims eat pork and drink beer is it ok to accept blood from a non-Muslim? (Question Asked By: Sister Maria Khan)

AlHamdu Lillah, thank you for your trust and for this important question. May Allah reward you for the desire to acquire, practice and spread the correct knowledge of our Deen, Aa’meen.

First of all we must understand that Allah The Almighty and His Prophet (Peace be upon him) made it obligatory for us to do all we can to save a life "without any prejudice and without jeopardizing another life."

In Surah Al-Maidah 5:32 Allah The Almighty says; "….and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind."

In a hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) said; "Allah is on the side of His servants (helps him, etc) as long as the servant is on the side of (helps) his brother (another human being)".

Prophet (peace be upon him) said; "whoever helps another human with be helped by Allah The Almighty".

Prophet (peace be upon him) said; "The Most Merciful is Merciful upon those (human) who are merciful upon others (human). Be merciful on those around you on the earth, and The Most Merciful (Allah, Present everywhere) will be Merciful upon you."

            Islam places a great importance on value of life. There is NO differentiation of faith, creed, gender, and color or any other merits or prejudices’ when it comes to saving "ANY LIFE".

In the light of the above ayah and Ahadith donating blood or organs is permissible under certain conditions and limitations, such as;

a)    The organ is taken out only after a competent Doctor pronounces the death of the donor and all efforts to save his/her life have failed.

b)    In case of kidney/blood or any other organ transfer, only after a competent Doctor establishes that the suffering person must have a kidney/organ/blood transplant and the donor is a healthy match, and the donor’s life or health would not suffer.

c)    The organ or blood is only used to save another life and not for beautification etc

d)    A decision of the competent Doctors that without the blood transfusion or organ transplant the patient is going to die.

e)    The blood or organ is neither sold nor taken by force or under pressure or duress.

f)     The donor before his/her death or his/her immediate family agreed to donate the organ/s upon death.

g)    Organ can be removed only after all attempts to save the donor’s life are exhausted.

h)    Organs are not removed from a living person to help another person without willful consent.

i)     Blood or Organ donation is not obligatory or part of faith, if someone is not convinced then there is no sin on him/her for not donating.

For example in case of kidney or blood transfusion, if these conditions are followed the life of a suffering person can be saved by a live donor without any significant threat to his own life, because he can still survive on one kidney with slight lifestyle modifications.

We all understand and realize what could happen, if Islamic Shariah and or law allowed transplanting blood or human organs without any condition and or limitations.

In my opinion, organ and blood donation is an act of "Continuous Charity" (Sadaqat Jariyah). During our life time we can donate bone marrow, blood, kidney, tissue, etc to those who are in dire need of whether we personally know the person or not.

It is absolutely impossible and even so "Not Required" to keep the Muslim or Non-Muslim donated blood separately, it is an equal good deed to donate to a Muslim and or a Non-Muslim as long as the blood does not carry any virus or disease. Allah The Almighty did not say that saving a Muslim life is more rewarding than a Non-Muslim life. Even if we separate the blood on the basis of the donor’s faith, then there would be more issues as people would create further division based on sects, creed, cast, groups, ethnicity, nationality, color, languages, political affiliations, tribal, etc.

As far the organ donation is concerned, there are three opinions. Some scholars maintain that it is allowed only to donate from a dead body and the other scholars say that both living and dead can donate. Islam is the religion of moderation yet a third group of "scholars" say that donation of any organ is mutilation of a human body whether dead or alive.

The third group say that a dead person is not in-charge of his body so neither him nor his relative have any saying. Some say no matter what you do, if a patient is supposed to die of that ailment no one can save it. Most of their arguments make no sense if seen in the light of Qura’n and the practices of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and may even border with lack of religious knowledge.

Following is an opinion from respected Shaikh Dr. Muzzamil Siddiqui, former president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA);

"This question is very much debated by the jurists in past two decades. The Supreme Council of Islamic Scholars in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) has allowed both organ donation and organ transplantation only in case of necessity.

The organ can be taken from the body of a living person with his/her consent and approval and also from the body of a dead person. In the case of a living person, the jurists have stipulated that this donation should not deprive him/her of vital organs. It should also not cause risk to his/her normal life.

The Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League in Makkah AlMukarramah also allowed organ donation and transplantation in its 8th session held between 28 Rabi’ul Thani - 7 Jumadal Oula, 1405 Hijrah.

In 1408 Hijrah, The Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah also allowed the use of the body organs of a person who has died in an accident, if the necessity requires the use of any organ to cure a patient, provided that a competent and trustworthy physician makes this decision.

It is important to note that most of the jurists have only allowed the donation of the organs. They do not allow the sale of human organs. Their position is that the sale of human organs violates the rules of the dignity and honor of the human being, and so it would be Haram in that case.

Some jurists suggest that because people have become too materialistic and it may not be possible to find a free organ, under necessity one can purchase the organs, but a Muslim should not sell his/her organs." (End Quote)

In this reply I presented the logical viewpoints. I personally favor the Fiqh Academy’s opinion as saving a life with consent of the blood or organ donor without jeopardizing his own life is of prime importance and one of the highly rewarded acts of humanity.

I hope this provides some answer. I seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for any and all of my mistakes and misunderstandings regarding this issue.

I leave you and your loved ones in the mercy, guidance and protection of Allah The Almighty.

AND ONLY ALLAH KNOWS BEST.