Hyderabad: Most followers of Islam and some Christians believe that the human body belongs to God and donation of organs is a sin.
Head for Jamia Nizamia, Mufti Suber said that as per Shariat laws, all organs are the property of Allah. “Selling organs or donating is restricted in Islam. Whatever we get is from Allah,” he said.
Asked why many Muslims were awaiting organs from the Jeevandan programme and that several others had already received organs, he said that until and unless it was a life-and-death situation, no one would allow receiving organs. “If they are about to die, they take organs from other communities. But Islam doesn’t allow donation of organs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rev S. Sathia Joseph from Christ Church at Ramkot said that most Western countries allowed organ donations and transplantations after death or in brain-dead cases.
“People who don’t come forward to donate organs may have a belief of resurrection after death. There is no rule to not donate organs in Christianity. We have to educate people on the necessity of organ donation,” he said.
Father S. Bernard, vicar general of Hyderabad Archdiocese said, “The Catholic church has not forbidden nor permitted organ donations. Even bishops and priests abroad donate organs after death. So far there is no official letter from the church to make donations a mandate; it is up to the individual to do so.”
