DNR (Do not resuscitate) for patients with no hope of medical treatment

[Colonel_Hardstone]

Research carried out by National Health Service (in United Kingdom) postulates that there is around 10% chance of an effective revival if CPR with Chest Compressions are carried out on an individual outside of a hospital setting in a proper and appropriate manner.

In a hopistal setting chances of an effective revival if CPR with Chest Compressions are carried out on an individual in a proper and appropriate manner are slightly higher and between 10%-15%, However, if a patient is weak then there is a every chance that during CPR with Chest Compressions a few ribs will be broken so the patient will be in pain in the chest area for weeks and the chances of revival are significantly lowered.

Therefore consultants often advise patients/families to sign a DNR (Do not resuscitate) consent if consultants think that its not in the best interest of the patient to be revived

1. Is a Muslim patient allowed to give a DNR (Do not resuscitate) consent based on the recommendation of a Consultant that there is no hope for a medical treatment for their condition?
2. Does it matter if the consultant is Muslim or Non-Muslim?

This is a very common occurrence for Stage-IV Cancer patients being treated by National Health Service (in United Kingdom) and there are other diseases as well.

[amr123]

Also do not consent to put a terminal patient in the ventilator, (unless its post-operative or an accident case.) Because most often when the hospital bills rise up, the relative are made to 'pull the plug'.

[The Fake Shaykh]

Message from the OP (Don't shoot the messenger)

Jazakullah Khairun for the prompt response from the Ulama-e-Kiraam on the query, the patient died peacefully and may Allah (SWT) give them Jannatul-Firdaus (Ameen) and the family wondered as to what the Shariah compliant solution would have been if the situation occurred the 2nd time ; sometimes people need to look beyond "who is asking"...

[abuhajira]

Message from the OP (Don't shoot the messenger)

Jazakullah Khairun for the prompt response from the Ulama-e-Kiraam on the query, the patient died peacefully and may Allah (SWT) give them Jannatul-Firdaus (Ameen) and the family wondered as to what the Shariah compliant solution would have been if the situation occurred the 2nd time ; sometimes people need to look beyond "who is asking"...

Ameen to your duas. May Allah accept all the ibadaat of the deceased and overlook all the shortcomings ameen. May Allah equally forgive us all for our shortcomings.

I feel rest assured that OP has more connection with muftiyaan and Ulama across the globe than I would have in next 15 years. While we offer a service to answer fiqhi issues, we have not guaranteed that it will be a timeous one. Some issues are deeper issues and require lot of academic discussion rather than mere search the net for an opinion and passing a ruling.

I hope that for future purposes some ulama can take time out to research the issue and complete detail and provide an answer. In the mean time, I pray for the family of the deceased. Ameen



P.S it is very discouraging to read that remarks are still rife about who is asking and who is answering. May Allah help us all get rid of our inner shortcomings. Ameen