FIMA Year Book 2009 - Federation of Islamic Medical Associations

Teaching Medical ProfessionalismQuranic verse safely kept in his heart.It is manifested in his daily attitudes,actions and practice. Only then will henot lose his bearing as a believer in theOneness of Allah. His undivided beliefin Allah as the Supreme Healer will notbe compromised. This is the first stageof medical professionalism.وَإِذَا مَرِضْ‏ تُ‏ فَهُ‏ وَ‏ يَشْ‏ فِنيِ‏“When I am ill, it is He (Allah) Whocures me.” (8)This verse is actually a statement oftawhid in his professional practice.When coupled with the next verse, thebeliever finds a pair of Quranic versesthat will strengthen his resolve as abeliever who practices medicine:وَلَوْ‏ جَ‏ عَلْنَاهُ‏ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَ‏ مِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْالَ‏ فُصِّ‏ لَتْ‏ آيَاتُهُ‏أَعْجَ‏ مِيٌّ‏ وَعَرَبِيٌّ‏ ، قُلْ‏ هُوَ‏ لِلَّذِينَ‏ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِ‏ فَاءوَالَّذِينَ‏ الَ‏ يُؤْمِنُونَ‏ فِي آذَانِهِ‏ مْ‏ وَقْرٌ‏ وَهُوَ‏ عَلَيْهِ‏ مْ‏ عَمًىأُوْلَئِكَ‏ يُنَادَوْنَ‏ مِن مَّكَ‏ انٍ‏ بَعِيدٍ‏“Had We sent this as a Qur’an (inthe language) other than Arabic,they would have said: “Why arenot its verses explained in detail?What! (a Book) not in Arabic and(a Messenger) an Arab?” Say: “It isa Guide and a Healing to those whobelieve; and for those who believe not,there is a deafness in their ears, andit is blindness in their (eyes); They are(as it were) being called from a placefar distant!”” (9)It is only from here that the studentor practitioner proceeds on to thenext stage of professionalism – that ofphysical and moral strength, of normalphysical health and trustworthiness.قَالَتْ‏ إِحْ‏ دَهُمَا يَأبَتِ‏ اسْ‏ تَأْجِ‏ رْهُ‏ إِنَّ‏ خَ‏ يْرَ‏ مَنْ‏ اسْ‏ تَأجَ‏ رْتَ‏الْقَوِيُّ‏ الْ‏ ‏َمِنيُ‏“Said one of them: “O my father!employ him, surely the best of thosethat you can employ is the strong, thetrustworthy one.”” (10)3.4 Islamic Code of Medical EthicsThe medical community within theMuslim Nation (Ummah) has alwaysbeen fortunate for it has never needed togrope in the dark as regards guidelinesand principles of medical practice andprofessionalism are concerned. TheIslamic Organisation of Medical Sciences’Islamic Code of Medical Ethics (11) standswitness to the untiring efforts of theMuslim medical community to alwaysimprove itself and its services. TheCode’s 12 chapters become beacons ofprofessionalism in a practice that is atonce honourable as it is demanding:• Definition of Islamic Medicine• Characteristics of the doctor• Relationship among doctors• Relationship between the doctorand the patient• Professional secrecy• Responsibility of the doctor duringwar• Responsibility of the doctor• The doctor and the sanctity ofhuman life• The doctor and society• The doctor and the developmentof modern medical science• Medical education• Oath of the Muslim doctor.FIMA YearBook 200962