FIMA Year Book 2009 - Federation of Islamic Medical Associations

Ethical IssuesIn order to achieve this high rank,there are prerequisites for the scholar ofknowledge to fulfill, the most importantof which is for his knowledge to beintended for the pleasure of Allahand for the best interest of Islam andhumanity.If the duties of religious observancehave maximum limits to attaincompleteness, seeking knowledge,on the other hand, has no limits, andextends into man’s entire life. TheProphet (PBUH) said; “The faithful willnever be fully satisfied of the good hehears, until his final goal is paradise.” (40) .If knowledge is related to the healthand safety of Muslim Ummah, andhumanity at large, as well as preservingthe aims of Islamic legislations, as suchis the case in medical sciences, thenperfecting and becoming advancedin such sciences is more of a priorityand a duty. In this contexts, acquiringmedical knowledge is necessary fromMuslim or non Muslim countries. Inacquiring such knowledge a Muslimdoctor must adhere with the massageof Islam and divine guidelines. (44)The doctor must seek and advance hisknowledge until the end of his life. Hemust be a source of inspiration for thecoming generations. He must alwaysand persistently explore new andbetter diagnostic and therapeutic toolsfor his time and times to come. Hisadditions in knowledge and expertisewould then be a running charity tobe rewarded for, even after his death.The concept of Islamic message shouldbe acknowledged by every scholarof medicine. He/she has to seekknowledge for the cause of Allah, withno regard to achieving material welfareor distinguished social status. But ifhe/she intends to study medicine forthe sake of mean ephemeral worldlyaims, the Prophet (PBUH) warns himin the hadith narrated by Abu Huraira;“Whoever learns a knowledge, that ofwhich Allah’s sight would be sought, toseek a worldly benefit, will never find thefragrance of paradise on Doomsday.” (42) .Acquiring knowledge and practicingmedicine should entirely be to pleaseAllah and for the cause of Islam thoughthe byproduct could be earning orstatus but these should not be the majoraim of a Muslim doctor. And thereforeacquiring knowledge raises the degreesof people to the highest ranks of faith,righteous work and Jihad (holy cause).Allah says; “We gave (in the past)knowledge to Dawod and Solaiman:And they both said: “Praise be to Allah,Who has favored us above many of hisservants who believe!””And Solaimanwas Dawod’s’ heir. He said: “O ye people!We have been taught the speech ofbirds, and on us has been bestowed (alittle) of all things: this is indeed Gracemanifest”(from Allah) (43) .It is therefore required to achieve thishigh rank, and all those prerequisitesfor the scholar of knowledge. A Muslimdoctor is aware that he has to make acontinuous research and enhance hisdiagnostic and therapeutic skills to findout the treatment of all those incurableconditions as an application of theProphet’s saying; “Seek remedy forFIMA YearBook 200996