Caring for Muslim Patients with Terminal Illness

Discover Islam Luton
37c Upper George Street, Luton, LU1 2RD | contact@discover-islam.org.uk

Caring for Muslim patients
with terminal illness

Summary Guidance
February 2014

CONTENTS
Who are Muslims? ............................................................................................3
The Islamic view of life and death.....................................................................3
Taking comfort despite loss ..............................................................................3
Observing Mourning .........................................................................................4
Visiting the ill ....................................................................................................5
Euthanasia........................................................................................................5
Some common needs.......................................................................................6
Prayer............................................................................................................6
Food and drink ..............................................................................................6
Communication .............................................................................................7
Hygiene .........................................................................................................7
Modesty.........................................................................................................7
Rituals surrounding death .............................................................................7
Funeral ..........................................................................................................8
Religious leadership......................................................................................9
Muslim Funeral directors...............................................................................9
Further information, training or consultancy services....................................9

Who are Muslims?
A Muslim is anyone who believes in the statement: “There is none worthy of worship
except Allah (God) and Mohammed is His slave and last messenger,” then acts
according to the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon
him).
Although, it may seem that Muslims are of Arab or South Asian background only, the
Muslim community is very diverse, including people from the Far East to Africa, and
native communities in Europe and the Americas. It is not unusual therefore to find
differences of opinion and practice due to cultural differences. Also, we may often
find cultural practices among some Muslims that have no basis in Islam but have
been inherited from their ancestors. In mainstream Islam, juristic differences of
opinion have always been welcomed, when scholars have exerted themselves to
apply the principles of Islamic teachings to new circumstances.
Based on this diversity, it is important to recognise that not all Muslim patients will
have identical personal needs although the core beliefs and ritual practises are
consistent. It is also possible that some Muslims are unaware of the position of Islam
on a particular issue, oftentimes, because it is a new experience such as dealing with
terminal illness personally or in ones family.
The Islamic view of life and death
The Qur’an states that whoever saves one life it is as if they had saved the whole of
mankind, hence the great value placed on caring for others regardless of their belief.
We believe that the soul continues to live after the ‘death’ of the body and, on the
Day of Resurrection, the body will again be reunited with the soul. God will judge all
of humanity based on how they lived their life and the righteous will be rewarded with
Paradise and bliss eternally. Muslims believe that the Hereafter is better and more
enduring than this life on Earth. This knowledge also gives Muslims hope and
comfort that we will be reunited with our loved ones in an everlasting life to come.
Taking comfort despite loss
Illness and loss in this life are a test of ones faith and character. For those who
patiently persevere through illness there is reassurance of purification and good
reward. In the instance that someone innocent is beset with great trial, God –

through His Mercy – will admit them to Paradise without reckoning or worry. Specific
examples are mentioned in the Prophetic narrations and include children, those who
drown, who are caught in a fatal fire, those with stomach diseases or beset by a
plague amongst others. Also, if a Muslim woman dies while giving birth she too will
have the same status.
Observing Mourning
Muslims are generally allowed to observe three days mourning for close relatives. A
widow has 4 months and 10 days grieving period. In this period, they are expected to
refrain from normal routine. The widow may not remarry until this period has finished
although she may visit doctors for emergency medical care and the like. Grieving
and weeping is acceptable but wailing, beating the chest are signs of despair that are
discouraged. In some cultures, women are discouraged from visiting the graves for
these reasons.
Generally, extended family and local community take care of the needs of the
bereaved family providing food, support and counsel. After the 3 days of mourning,
the family should start to resume their daily activities. This does not mean that they
have to forget about their deceased loved ones or that they need not deal with their
feelings and emotions. Rather, this is a way to encourage people to not become
consumed by grief and begin the process of recovery. Islam encourages that the
deceased should indeed be remembered and loved ones are encouraged to do good
actions on behalf of the dead such as donating charity or performing good deeds on
their behalf. All such acts should be viewed in the sprit of compassion.
A widow has a special place in this regard. The extended period is to protect her
interests (personal, financial etc) so that unscrupulous people do not take advantage
of her vulnerability during this period. Secondly, to be absolutely clear that she is not
pregnant from the deceased, in which case, she will have additional rights from the
husband’s estate. This is a time people with her interests at heart should comfort her;
this is a time for reflection, prayers, looking ahead etc. In this period she may not
remarry. Generally, she will refrain from normal activities and can consult a religious
leader (Imam) if she needs to enquire about specific circumstances. After this period,
she may remarry if she wishes. But this does not mean she will automatically
overcome her feelings of love for her departed husband. These rules do not prevent
her from seeking professional help if she needs it.

Visiting the ill
The Prophet Mohammed has encouraged Muslims to visit the sick. However, the
visitors should not sit for too long with the sick person so as to inconvenience the
patient or their family.
As it is not always possible to maintain Islamic dress code during illness, visitors and
those working with them should be mindful of safeguarding patients’ privacy and
dignity. Muslim patients may feel uncomfortable receiving visitors from the opposite
sex, who are not close relatives.
Islam encourages visiting the sick to offer solace, support and reassurance. Through
kind words and caring, a pleasant visitor can fill sick patients with hope, comfort and
good cheer. Visitors will pray for the patient by sharing some words of supplication.
Euthanasia
Mercy-killing or physician assisted suicide is considered impermissible in Islam.
Similarly, it is not permissible to remove or withhold the respirator from a patient
except in the case where it has been definitely established that s/he comes under the
ruling of one who is dead, because all brain function has completely ceased, or
her/his heart and breathing have completely stopped in such a way that the doctors
have determined is irreversible.

Some common needs
Prayer
• Muslims may want to pray five times a day, so they may request information
about compass bearings and may need help to rearrange furniture to enable
them to face Makkah (which is the direction of prayer).
• Ritual purification is necessary before prayer requiring washing of key body
parts unless the patient is unable to do so because of their illness.
• Usually one stands up to pray facing the Qibla (direction of the Ka’bah in
Makkah) although there is leniency for the ill as stated in the statement of the
Prophet Muhammad: “Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you
cannot, then lying on your side.”
• Patients may request copies of the Qur’an (Holy Book) and prayer mats. If
you have any difficulty in sourcing these, please contact us and we will make
these available.
Food and drink
• Muslims are only permitted to eat meat that has been prepared while
mentioning the name of God and releasing all blood from the animal deeming
it halal. For this reason, a family may wish to bring their own food in for the
patient.
• Like other faiths, pork and alcohol also prohibited for Muslims to consume.
• During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset abstaining from eating,
drinking, smoking and sexual activity. The very young, elderly, sick,
menstruating women and pregnant women are exempt from fasting, however
the patient may still wish to observe the fast as best they can.
• Any medication which reaches the stomach, whether administered orally,
anally or by injections into the blood vessels, is not permitted during the fast.
If the individual requires this for their health, they are not required to fast as
stated above.
• Muslims eat with their right hand and will need to have the table arranged
accordingly (see further note in Hygiene advice below).

Communication
• Depending on where they are from, Muslims speak a variety of languages
including Punjabi, Urdu, Pushto, Bengali and Arabic.
• Although many speak English proficiently, others may rely on family members
or request an interpreter.
Hygiene
• Muslims prefer to use free flowing water in order to bathe, so may wish to use
the shower rather than a bath (this may also have implications for bed baths
– ask the patient or family for advice).
• After using the toilet, Muslims prefer to wash, rather than use toilet paper
alone – again this will have implications when using bedpans.
• Ritual washing is required prior to prayer and a patient may need help to do
this. Patients who are medically advised not to use water may perform dry
ablution.
• In common with most Asian cultures, Muslims use their left hand for washing
private parts and their right hand for eating
Modesty
• Modesty in dress is important to Muslims – a man must cover his body from
the navel to the knees and a woman may cover her body entirely except for
the hands and feet.
• A patient may prefer to be attended to by medical staff of the same gender,
but where this is impossible they may wish to have their spouse or a member
of their family of their gender present during examinations or treatment.
Rituals surrounding death
• The patient may wish to sit or lie on the right facing Mecca when approaching
death.
• Prayers or reading from the Qur’an may be read by a religious leader (Imam)
or a family member. These can also be supplied in audio format on request
by contacting us at the Discover Islam centre.
• Following death, normally non-Muslims may not touch the body (except to
remove medical devices or where it is necessary).
• Family members of the same gender may wish to wash and arrange the body
– if it is necessary a nurse may be asked to do this, or assist:

• Once the soul has departed from the body, it is important to close the eyes
and mouth of the deceased, straighten their limbs, bandage the lower jaw
round the head and tie the two thumb toes together with a cloth.
• The nails of the deceased should not be cut or the body washed without
seeking permission from the family and Muslim funeral provider.
• The whole body should be covered with a white sheet.
Funeral
• The funeral should be undertaken as soon as possible following death
(usually within 24 hours) once the cause of death has been established.
• Like other faiths, invasive autopsies are not permitted on the body of the
deceased and there is provision in South-East England and London for non-
invasive post mortems to establish the cause of death. For further details,
contact us at the Discover Islam centre and we can advise families or
practitioners on the process.
• Women are not allowed to attend the funeral although may wish to see the
body prior to the funeral
• The Islamic mourning period lasts 3 days for family with the exception of the
widow who mourns for 4 months and 10 days. Some South-Asian traditions
also hold a communal supplication and meal 40 days after the passing away
of a family member.

Other useful contacts
Further information, training or consultancy services
37c Upper George Street
Luton
LU1 2RD
Email: contact@discover-islam.org.uk
Religious leadership
• Council of Islamic Scholars
Contact: Imam Saqib Mahmood, Zuhri Academy
• Luton Council of Mosques
Email lutonmosques@gmail.com
Correspondence address: 95 Maple Road Luton Bedfordshire LU4 8BQ
Muslim Funeral directors
(Who can accommodate non-invasive post mortems)
• Bismillah Muslim Funeral service
81 Montrose Avenue, Luton, Bedford LU3 1HP 01582 514646
• Bury Park Funeral services
21-27 Bury Park Road Luton 01582 725412
Haji Abul Hussain: 07984 720039 Haji Anwar Hussain: 07958 069012
Other services included with the funeral provision include:
• Arranging burials
• Providing Coffin, casket and funeral cars
• Embalming
• Repatriation service
• Washing and storage facilities

Caring for Muslim Patients with Terminal Illness

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