Endi usha fatvoning uzi:
Fatwa No : 85750
Blood testing for HIV/AIDS
Fatwa Date : Safar 12, 1424 / 15-4-2003
Question
Here in Africa we have a project called Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS, in which citizens are encourage to learn their status through blood testing.
Please give me the Fatwa regarding:
(i) One decision to check his/her status regarding HIV/AIDS.
(ii) Imams/Sheikhs are permissible to advocate to their believers for testing.
(iii) If an Imam has tested, is he allowed to go public (i.e. through TV, Radio, etc.) to encourage other to test?
(iv) Is the whole process against Islamic teaching?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Receiving medical treatment and longing for good health is encouraged in Islam. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart" . [ Muslim ]
Allah did not send down a disease but he also sent its treatment; some people know it while others do not.
Imam al-Tirmizi reported from Usamah Bin Shareek (Radiya Allahu Anhu) that "The Bedouins said to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam): 'O Allah's Messenger (SAW), should we treat ourselves?' He replied: "O slaves of Allah, treat yourselves, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it with the exception of one disease, namely old age" .
It is proved that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), his companions, and the good ancestors used to seek and receive treatment.
Therefore, it is permissible to take precautions by checking and taking the vaccination and medicine to protect oneself from the mentioned dangerous disease or others. The Islamic Shariah also emphasizes on the affected person to receive the suitable medication to cure himself.
Moreover, advising people to check themselves and use the medicine is also recommended in Shariah since the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said in the above Hadith: "O slaves of Allah use medicine "¦" .
It is also permissible for an Imam to encourage people to treat themselves and use medicine, according to the proper means.
Finally, we remind the questioner brother that the best prevention from this disease and other diseases is adhering to the rulings of Shariah and keeping away from what is forbidden. Know that Allah does not legislate except what is beneficial and does not prevent except from what is harmful.
The current research has proved that the basic reason for the rapid spread of this fatal disease (AIDS) is illegitimate sex.
Therefore, all Muslims, particularly the callers and reformers should encourage people to follow the Shariah since it is the best cure for mental, physical and psychological ailments.
Allah knows best.
The Alchemist
PS:
http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&Id=92651 http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&lang=E&Id=85750
