[ Islam-based analysis of end of life ethical issues: case studies]

ABSTRACT

Ending of life is a critical decision which must be made with accountability and through a process of consultation with patient and some experts. The main challenge facing the ethics of end-of-life care is to avoid decisions contrary to patient's religious belief. The rights of individuals, near death, should be safeguarded and their interests at terminal stages of life should be respected. It is noteworthy that the religion is the most important factor we have in coping with dilemmas near the end of life. More than one forth of the world population are Muslims; therefore understanding their attitudes about this critical issue is imperative. We aim to state the main concepts of Islamic teachings about the death and end of life debates. The dilemmas will be discussed through some clinical cases