Human Rights and Bioethics, An Islamic Overview

Abstract

When the sacred sources (in primis Qur’ân and Sunna) and the legal tradition are not clear on a specific subject, for example on recourse to the modern techniques of diagnosis or treatment, the faithful can turn to doctors of the Law (fuqâhâ’, ‘ulamâ’ and muftî) who interpret the sources and issue fatâwâ (sing. fatwâ), i.e. simple legal opinions, which may well present contrasting thoughts but from a juridical point of view, the faithful are under no obligation to abide by them.