Medical treatment may involve destruction (antibiotics, cytotoxics, anti-metabolites, antagonists, antitoxins, and detoxification), replacement (hormones, fluids, electrolytes), biological modification & modulation, psycho-active therapy, and supportive treatment (diet, rest, analgesia etc).

It is prohibited to use haram materials and najasat as treatment. What is prohibited as food or drink is also prohibited as medicine. Exceptions are made in cases of dharuurat. Medicine taken orally does not nullify wudhu. Any medicine that is taken but is not swallowed and is vomited out is considered like vomitus. Medicine given per rectum nullifies wudhu. Subcutaneous or intravenous or intramuscular injections do not nullify wudhu unless there is extensive external bleeding. Any medicine taken orally or rectally or any insertion of a scope will nullify saum.

SURGICAL TREATMENT

Permitted surgical procedures include resection, restorative/reconstructive surgery, transplantation, blood transfusion, anesthesia, and critical care. Transfusion of whole blood or blood components is widely accepted and raises few legal or ethical issues. Blood donation is analogous to organ donation by a living donor. Transfused blood is not considered filth, najasat, because it is not spilled blood. Blood transfusion is allowed on the basis of dharuurat. There is no problem in blood donation between Muslims and non-Muslims because they share human brotherhood. There is no problem in blood transfusion between a man and a woman. Blood transfusion does not abrogate the wudhu of the donor or the recipient. Sale of blood is permitted using the analogy of sale of milk by wet nurse who is paid for her services. Attempts must be made to minimize inappropriate mixing of male and female health care personnel in a small confined space of the operating theater. In emergency treatment/critical care, financial considerations complicate the picture when destitute patients who cannot pay present at the emergency room.

OTHER TREATMENTS