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Leaving Treatment for a Terminally Ill Child Expected to Die at a Certain Age

22-09-2017

Question 279793

A 4 month old baby has been afflicted with a genetic condition/disease which has no cure and will cause the baby to pass away in a certain period of time. Few treatments might help in prolonging the life of the baby (some treatments might help prolong the baby's life for up to four years maximum). The parents of the baby has decided to choose the simplest of those treatments (this treatment will not help in prolonging the life of the baby) in the intention of not wanting to make the baby suffer by undergoing harsh treatments. Is this decision correct according to shariah?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

I presented this question to Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Barrak (may Allah preserve him), and he responded:

They may leave his matter to Allah, and there is no harm on the parents to leave off any further treatment which may prolong his life. However, they should use that which lessens the pain for him, if possible.

And Allah knows best.

Medicine and medical treatments
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