Fatwa #84812 September 2000Pakistan
What does Islam say about the killing of the weaker siamese twin in order to save the stronger one?
Question
Sometimes two Siamese twins are unable to stay together so the doctors choose to split them. This means one twin will die( the doctor's usually choose the weaker one to die).
Answer
Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran: Life is from a decree of my Lord. (Sura 12
verse 85) the above verse is self explanatory on the sanctity and
significance of life. Generally every decree is from Allah Taala but the
honour of attribution increases its sanctity and demands its highest level
of reference. This command is mentioned in many verses of the Quran: Allah
Ta ala says: "Whosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he
has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as
though he has murdered all of mankind." (sura 5 verse 32) The fact that
every one soul is equivalent to all of mankind clearly indicates the value
of every life.
The above should suffice to express the sanctity of the Rooh (life). It is
not permissible under any circumstances to destroy a rooh. The jurists have
mentioned the life enters the foetus upon 120 days. From then onwards the
foetus is a living human being.
Under no circumstances will it be permissible to kill the weaker of the
Siamese twins. Allah Taala in his infinite knowledge knows the
circumstances, inspite of Him Being Most Merciful, He has endowed the child
with life. Can our deficient mercy to kill the child be compared to Allah Ta
ala s Infinite Mercy to sustain the child. The heights of His Infinite
Wisdom cannot be reached or comprehended. The importance of the biggest
problem in the circumstances cannot be equivalent to the importance of the
Rooh (life). It is too dear to be discarded.
And Allah Taãla Knows Best.
Was salaam
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.