Euthanasia: A Fiqh Approach to the issue of Dignified Death in a Medical Context

This article aims to explore the Fiqh approach to the issue of euthanasia within a medical context, given the increasing implementation and debate surrounding this practice globally. This study gains urgency from the significant growth in requests for euthanasia and assisted dying, raising profound questions about the criteria and conditions that permit this practice, as well as potential conflicts with religious and ethical principles. The methodology employed is a qualitative phenomenological approach, with primary data sources including verses from the Qur'an and Hadith, and academic literature through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Data analysis was conducted using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana analytical model, with validity testing through source triangulation. The findings reveal that, within Qur'anic literature, euthanasia—particularly its active form—is opposed as it contravenes the principles of life's sanctity taught in Islam. In the medical context, euthanasia is categorised into active, passive, and physician-assisted suicide, each bearing significant legal and ethical implications. The SLR reveals that most studies focus on the legal and ethical aspects from a secular viewpoint, highlighting a gap in the literature integrating a Fiqh perspective. The research underscores the need for a more inclusive and sensitive approach to the religious context in health policy making and medical practice, especially in societies with large Muslim populations. This study offers a new perspective in medical ethics discussions, proposing a more holistic decision-making model that focuses not just on individual desires but also on the welfare of families and broader society.