ISLAMIC CODE OF ETHICS: MEDICAL PRACTICE

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ISLAMIC CODE OF ETHICSMEDICAL PRACTICE

• FARHAT MOAZAM, M.D., PHD
• Center of Biomedical Ethics and Culture, SIUT,
  Karachi, Pakistan
• Institute of Practical Ethics, University of
  Virginia, USA

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DISCUSSION POINTS

• Modern secular ethics versus Islamic
  religious-ethical concepts
• The contemporary English term ethics versus the
  Arabic (Urdu) word Adab/Akhlaq
• Rich Islamic heritage of Virtue Ethics
  (al-Fadael) and stress on the moral physician
  the sources
• A brief account, and some examples, of virtues
  that must be included in the body of the Islamic
  Code of Medical Ethics of IOMS

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MODERN BIOETHICSBASIC CHARACTERISTCS

• Multidisciplinary discipline conceived in the
  1970s to address new ethical dilemmas in medical
  practice and biomedical research
• Grounded in secular, philosophical principles
  relying on human reason
• Focus on autonomy and individual rights to ensure
  justice
• Ethical theories satisfied with minimal
  obligations to others
• Asks the question is this action ethical?
  (Hal al-aml salih wa akhlaqi?)

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ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS ETHICS BASIC CONCEPTS

• Historically, Muslim moral and ethical thought
  rooted in Revelation and human reason (al-aql wa
  l-shari)
• Recognizes rights of individuals, but emphasizes
  human obligations to establish social justice
• Those more privileged in life have greater
  responsibilities towards the less fortunate
• Asks the question is the acting
  agent/physician a moral person? (hal al-Tabib
  shakhsun salihun, shakhs du akhlaq?)

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ETHICS vs. AKHLAQ/ADAB

• Ethics for physicians is translated in Arabic
  (and Urdu) as Akhlaq al-Tabib
• The historical and social construct of how
  Muslims comprehend akhlaq is much broader than
  the contemporary use of term ethics
• An understanding of akhlaq incorporates both the
  virtuous agent and his/her ethical act
• The IOMS Islamic Code of Medical Ethics for
  physicians must include, in addition to what
  constitutes ethical actions, a list of virtues
  and moral traits that physicians must adopt and
  cultivate
• By highlighting the need for virtuous physicians
  and researchers as well as ethical acts, IOMS can
  make an important contribution to contemporary
  bioethical discourse which peripheralizes the
  former

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VIRTUES FOR PHYSICIANSMUSLIM SOURCES

• The physician is an instrument of Gods mercy on
  earth. Ibn Ali al-Ruhawi (d. late 9th century)
• From ethical concepts in the names of Allah
  al-Rahim (compassionate), al-Rahman (gracious),
  al-Ghafur (forgiving), al-Haq (truth, justice)
• From the Quran and Hadith Cultivate al-birr
  (piety, godliness), ahsana (the ideal), hilm
  (gentleness, patience, moral reasonableness),
  adl wa qist (justice, equity), tawazan
  (balance). Avoid kibr (pride), bakhila (avarice),
  istaghna (unbound confidence in self), bagha
  (injustice, intoxication with worldly power)

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VIRTUES FOR PHYSICIANSMUSLIM SOURCES (CONT.)

• From Muslim ulema and fuqaha The usul al-akhlaq
  of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali hikma (wisdom),
  shujaa (courage), iffa (temperance), and adl
  (justice)
• From Muslim physicians Kitab al-Tibb al-Ruhani
  of Abu Bakr al Razi the exemplary physician
  must cultivate good moral character, good
  health, and be cultured in manners. Must listen
  more, talk less.
• Adab al-Tabib by Al-Ruhawi train by employing
  good morals and actions with sympathy, mercy,
  gentleness, chastity, courage, generosity,
  justice. Do not aim for an excess of worldly
  riches. The physician with exemplary adab is
  one who truly fears God.

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WHY STRESS MORAL CHARACTER OF PHYSICIAN?

• Physicians and patients are spiritually equal in
  the eyes of Allah as His creatures
• Relationship between physicians and patients by
  nature is an unequal one the patient is not
  autonomous in illness. Physicians possess
  knowledge and skills which patients do not, but
  need for recovery and survival
• Rules and guidelines alone are insufficient
  safeguards against abuse of patients in the hands
  of unethical practitioners. E.g. the informed
  consent for therapy or research

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FINAL WORDS

• The believers whose faith is most perfect
• are those who have the best character.
• (Akmalu al-momineen imanan ahsanuhum
• khuluqan)
• Hadith of the
  Prophet (SAW)
• (from
  Imam Ibn Hanbal)