Anesthetics Haram or Halal?

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.

I have a question...something that has bothered me from time to time in the past...but I have never voiced it in public.

I was reminded of it last night, upon listening to a rendition of a hadith...in which it is said of one of the companions of the prophet(SAAW)...when he had such a condition of one of his legs(or at least part of the leg)...that indicated the need to amputate part of that leg. He was apparently in Syria at the time of the diagnosis...and he was then advised to take of some wine (or other sort of liquor)...in order to conceal the pain, and therefore be able to bear the pain of the operation of the amputation.

The wonders of modern medical science have only of recent times offered us the blessings (??) of medications which help alleviate pain, such as 'pain-killers' and even anesthetics.

Back to the hadith rendition of the condition of this sahabi...he rejected the choice to partake of such drink...even in dire condition of life-and-death situation which necessitated the amputation of his leg...reminding himself and those around him that such alcoholic intake was strictly prohibited in Islam...and so he refused to take of it. He told them...that they were to procede with the operation while he was in the state of prostration (sajda) in his salat...for in that state...he was on a higher level...and therefore would not make a movement...and they would be able to perform the amputation successfully at that time. And so they proceeded. And when the leg was amputated...he went into a shock-inflicted coma...and when he came to...was told that his leg was amputated at that time.

Now...to my question...as was related in hadith...I remember once reading a hadith...that the prophet(SAAW) warned of a time to come when intoxicants would be present and prevelant...and even made 'legal' under varrying names concealing their content of haram origins.

Is it true that such methods as anesthetics and other pain killers are truly legal ??? or are they under the classification of those things which are questionable and even haram...for their content so similar to intoxicants??

It is something that worries me many times...for the state of the muslim ummah has degraded so drastically...and perhaps as result of our indulgence in haram things...thinking or assuming that they are not haram. We should be more intent upon knowing what we partake of, and of it's legality.

Thankyou...if anyone can lead us to the correct answer.

Lulua.

[Rasha]

Good question.... don't know the answer to it. I will wait with us sis until someone helps us along...and will research a bit to see what i come up with inshaAllah.

the story of that sahaba i have heard time and again.... and it always always amazes me...the strength of faith they had!

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum.

Yes...truly amazing strength of faith and conviction that the sahabi and the followers had. If only we would move ourselves to gain even slightly of their strength...we could do magnificent things for the cause of Allah...with the permission and will of Allah, of course.

BTW...I checked up at that fatwa site...islam q&a....didn't find anything anyways near related to this question. I mentioned to my husband, and his answer was automatically that it is halal...otherwise we would not have such facilities as anasthesia in our muslim hospitals. But...is it truly? I mean...what is the anasthesia made of? How is it able to render us unconscious? How does it work? Is it not classified as a mind-altering drug??

These are the basic underlying questions that I am getting at. I realize that most generally today's scolars are rendering such treatments as halal...but are they truly? Or is it perhaps similar to the general rulings on interest loans and mortgage payments...things which inevitably involve riba...and have been classified as halal by the general population of the ulema...but which are still riba.

Perhaps this, my friends, is our problem...as the collective ummah...that we are not fully paying attention to the divine Laws given to us.

And...it is my deep fear that...if we continue on such a path...a similar fate will happen to us as what happened to the nations in the past who ignored the Laws...???

Lulua.

[humeman]

Lulua argues for "strength of faith and conviction" versus "a mind-altering drug". People suffering from severe injuries- especially if they have infected wounds- produce endomorphins, natural mind-altering substances. I've helped in a hospice for dying people, and properly used and carefully handled anaesthetics will ease or remove pain without affecting the patient's mind.

[Rasha]

the argument here Humeman is not simply about affecting the mind. The prophet peace be upon him has made it clear that if anything in large amounts affects the mind, then even a little amount is forbidden.

For example, if you take very little alcohols you do not get drunk! However, a lot of alcohol causes inability to think clearly, thus lots or little makes it forbidden according to islamic Laws.

I have not yet found the answer to ur question sis Lulua. I will research some more inshaAllah.

[Rasha]

Ok Sis.. here is what I found:

http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=21718&dgn=3

http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=601&dgn=3

http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=8795&dgn=3

I hope these help :)

[Dr Qaisar]

Originally posted by Lulua
Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.

I have a question...something that has bothered me from time to time in the past...but I have never voiced it in public.

The wonders of modern medical science have only of recent times offered us the blessings (??) of medications which help alleviate pain, such as 'pain-killers' and even anesthetics.


Is it true that such methods as anesthetics and other pain killers are truly legal ??? or are they under the classification of those things which are questionable and even haram...for their content so similar to intoxicants??

Lulua.


As-salaamu-alaikum.

In answer to your question, you have asked about 'pain-killers' and anesthetics and also referred to the hadith. First, pain-killers......., briefly, there are 2 types of 'pain-killers', those derived from opium or having effects similar to opium which are called 'opiate analgesics (pain-killers)' eg. morphine, heroin etc. and the 'non-opiate analgesics' which include drugs like aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen etc. These are (the 2nd group) produced synthetically (ie. chemically) and have nothing to do with alcohol nor do they alter the mind in anyway, though, like all medicines have side-effects and I am sure everyone has popped these pills!! The opiate analgesics are used in moderate-severe pains in conditions like cancer etc. under medical supervision but have no effects like alcohol but do have abuse-liability. Many are now produced artificially in labs which act on opiate receptors in the body like the naturally ocurring pain-killers produced by the human body called endorphins. So there cannot be any question about these being haraam, though, one could argue about the parent source, opium a narcotic/intoxicant but they do not produce intoxication or alter the mind like intoxicants which is the reason why they (opium etc.) are haraam.

Now to anesthetics, these are again chemically produced substances which as most people would know, have no effects similar to alcohol/intoxicants but the general anesthetics naturally produce unconciousness but do not cause intoxication at all or alter your mind or your sense of control but may cause confusion, drowsiness or amnesia for some time. Hence, once again there would not be any question of them being haraam. One must distinguish between the effects alcohol & intoxicants have on the human mind and other drugs which may affect the brain/mind but unlike alcohol/intoxicants. At the time of the narration of the hadith, modern analgesics would not have been available but it highlights the great courage, conviction and faith of the sahaba, Mashaa-Allah. Sometimes, alcohol is present in cough mixtures which if one does not like to partake, may avoid them and there are alcohol-free cough syrups available. Similarly, as everyone may know, alcohol is used as a very common surface antiseptic and there have been no rulings against its use as such.

I hope this helps in clarifying to some extent.


Wa-salaam,
Dr.Qaisar

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum.

I thank you all kindly for your help in directing me in this.

In recalling the verse in the Quran, it says in relation to alcohol:

'They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah make clear to you His Signs: in order that ye may consider.'(s. 2, v. 219).

**Actually, the arabic word for the english translation here 'profit' is 'nef-i-hima'...which indicates some benefit...not necessarily monetary profit...but a benefit. Perhaps could be beneficial in more ways than merely a monetary profit (i.e. helping to ward off pain in order to continue with major operation or surgery). Among other benefits.

Now...this is the first of three verses revealed in relation to alcohol (here termed as wine). Since drinking was quite prevelant in the days of the revelation of the Quran, Allah in His mercy revealed to man to relinquish such drink in stages...not demanding that they release from it altogether...realizing, of course, that that in itself would have been a burden too difficult for many of the new muslims to bear. And so...we have this verse...which reminds us that there is some benefit to be had from wine (and gambling)...but the warning that the sin involved is greater than any benefit they could hold...and so the encouragement to stay away from them. The second verse concerning the banishing of wine...commands the believers not to come to the salat(prayer) in a drunken state. And so...the second and more strong inclination to helping ppl refrain from drinking...for they are not to come near the prayer in the state of drunkenness. And finally, the verse which emphatically pronounces such drink as of those forbidden things. And so, now, the clear definition that partaking of such drink involves incurring a great sin on one's self.

Now...to reflect again on ahadith...without quoting exactly (again, for my own lack of being able to locate the proper quote in time)...but there is a relation of a hadith in which the prophet(SAAW) predicts of a time to come when ppl will partake of much alcohol (prohibited beverages) but naming them of different and concealing names. But the content would be the same...that which is prohibited.

And now...the reason for my question...are anaesthetics of that classification? That they may perhaps fall into the category of intoxicants which are prohibited...yet under a different name??

I can fully understand and comprehend what you have explained, Dr. Qaisar...but still...if you will examine truly the effect that anaesthetics have on the brain...are they not mind-altering drugs? Do they not induce a sense of intoxication to the point where there is numbness? And the inability to control our own motions??

I shall do some more exploring on this myself, inshaAllah...and I will return to inform all of anything that I may find myself. Thankyou again for your time and efforts. My problem is...that the question is still bothering me there in my mind.

For you see...we...muslims in general...and the ummah as a whole...are in a terrible situation in today's world. We are muslims...yet we are sometimes willingly and at other times inadvertently disobeying Allah's commands...and so...we find ourselves in the poor situation and weak iman that we are in. Perhaps...just perhaps...if we would make ourselves more realizing of even the most minor details...perhaps Allah will take mercy upon us...and strengthen us in order to progress in His cause...and to promote Islam and cause it truly to be the highest in all the land. For surely...that is the only way to reap Allah's pleasure...in knowing what His commands are and following them to the letter. And...we can only do so with His help and protection.

May Allah help us all.

Lulua.

[sipraomer]

Disclaimer: I am not a scholar. Let me remind you again I am not a scholar and these observations are solely mine. However I will provide references and use as much logic as I can.

First of all I congratulate to ask such a nice question. Secondly what really Islam says about wine. "And don't come near prayer while you are intoxicated"

Likewise several other verses and ahadith say that wine is illegal as well as anything which has intoxication.

But...................

According to a sahih bukhari hadith " A group of people came to Hazrat Muhammad. They had a disease because of the hot climate of Madinah. The Prophet ordered them to drink milk and piss of camel as a medicene. They drank it and got well. They killed the camel flock and looted and were transgressors."

According to this hadith camel piss is used for medicine. Modern Science suggests that there are substances in the Piss of Camel which have certain type of bacteria which can cure diseases and is good for blood pressure or something like that.

Is Camel piss halal in normal time. No? every dirty thing is haram. Piss is a piss. Cleanliness is the half faith of a muslim. But only when a person is ill it can be used according to above hadith.

Likewise in desperirn there is a component which is made by horse piss. Saving a human's life is the greatest deed a man can do according to Islam. The one who kills one person kills the whole of humanity. So if a person has a heart attack he can put despirin under his tongue. Or if he is feeling pain in head he can eat it. Suppose a person has pain in head and is going to offer prayer. His mind will concentrate on pain and not the prayer. But it doesn't mean to drink wine to cure or forget the pain. Because wine has other side effects like sluggishness. And the state of diziness and it snatches the ability to think and makes the person forget that what he is doing.

But if there is a disease which can only be cured by wine. Or if there is no other medicine and wine is available. It can be used as a substitute for medicine. But it definitely doesn't mean that one should drink a whole bottle as if partying. It can only be taken for a reasonable amount bearing in mind that the one drinking it is not enjoying but only taking it as medicine. In war there are times when troops go in forests or deserts and they have nothing to eat. They can eat snakes and haram food in those circumstances. But only for survival. It doesn't mean to fulfill ones apetite. But it only means sufficent amount so that one doesn't die. This war thing I have heard from a scholar and using wine as medicine has been derived by me according to this observation or rule told by that scholar about eating haram meat in war for survival. Likewise it is an experiment of my grandfather. Once his son my maternal uncle got wounded while heading to school in the way. Blood started flowing from his wound. There was no hospital near. My grandfather pissed on his wound. His blood stopped flowing because of the chemical reaction. So if in need and I say if in need Alchohol is the only medicince you got one can use it. Changing the name of Alchohol as far as I know. We can predict through this hadis. Like the indians advertise Alchohol by changing its name. Because according to India's constitution Wine can't be advertised. So wine makers change the name of the wine and get licenses from the government to advertise them. Means they are twisting the law. One prediction can be this.. Secondly wine drinking means partying. and other illegal acts like zina also are commited as a result. As it is said wine is the source of all evils. Drinking cough syrup in which a little amount of alchohol is mixed doesn't mean that one is drinking wine. By drinking syrup one doesn't start illegal acts as the amount of alchohol is very little and it is used only for curing the cough.


From this post if any one thinks that I suggest that a little amount of wine is acceptable and not a larger amount. He will be not understanding my post. Let me clarify this that the main thing I am saying is that we can use a little amount of wine for curing disease but not that much amount which could result us in indulging illegal practices. But in normal times we can't drink even one thousandth part of a single drop of wine or any other intoxicating thing.

[sipraomer]

I saw today the post of Lulua and I now know why didn't anybody responded to my post because it has been 8 years since that post. I guess I have to post this info on another thread in order to clarify the matter because its very important.

[peacepro]

As Per This Issue We Should Consult A Good Researcher