Islam permits organ donation from living and deceased persons: CII chief

Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Allama Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, has stated that donating organs such as kidneys and liver, as well as blood donations to save human lives, is permissible under Islamic law.

He further clarified that organs may also be donated posthumously, provided that the deceased's close relatives or heirs grant permission.

Speaking to a local newspaper, Allama Naeemi emphasised that such acts of donation are aligned with Islamic values and should be encouraged within society.

He explained that Sharia does not prohibit organ donation by living individuals, as Islam places great importance on the sanctity and preservation of human life.

“From the perspective of Shariat, donating organs to save someone’s life is not haram,” he said.

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Thousands of patients across Pakistan are currently battling severe conditions related to the kidneys, liver, heart, and corneas.

However, due to the low prevalence of organ donation in the country, many continue to suffer without access to proper treatment.

Pakistan currently relies on cornea donations from Sri Lanka and heart transplants from India, as domestic practices for posthumous heart donations remain virtually nonexistent.

Allama Naeemi clarified that according to Islamic law, a person has no authority over their body after death, rendering their will regarding organ donation non-binding.

However, he added that the deceased’s family can consent to donate organs in good faith to save other lives.

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Addressing the topic of voluntary blood donation, the CII Chairman said that Islam permits and encourages it, given that blood regenerates naturally.

He underscored that blood should be donated purely out of compassion, and not for any financial or material benefit.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the costs of blood collection, screening, and transfusion may be covered by the patient or their family, as Sharia imposes no restrictions in this regard.

On the controversial matter of genetically modified pig heart transplants, Allama Naeemi affirmed that such procedures are not permissible under Islamic teachings.

Commenting on the Human Milk Bank, he noted that it has been renamed the "Human Milk Registry" and is currently under review by the Islamic Ideology Council.