Transcript INTRODUCTION - Alumni Relations

Islamic Medical Ethics
Point to your SELF
 No matter how important the brain thinks it is, the
brain that is coordinating the pointing movements
seems to know where a major component of the “self”
it shares with the body resides.
 The area most people point to is where we sense the
existence of the spiritual components of the human
being.
 These components make up what I’m referring to as
the Inner Condition.
Inner Condition
 This picture summarizes the primary difference
between the Islamic perspective on human cognition
and behavior and the popular Western considerations
and explanations here in the West.
 While factoring in the role of the brain, brain
chemistry and environmental influences, the Islamic
perspective focuses on the function and impact of
what is referred to in this presentation as the inner
condition on both cognitions and behavior.
Inner Condition
 No one will succeed on the Day of Resurrection (Day
of Accountability) – the day when neither wealth nor
offspring will avail – except for the one who comes to
their Lord with a sound (Inner Condition) 26:88-89
 A detailed explanation of the four components of the
“Inner Condition” is a fascinating discussion. Today
I will simply refer to this collective as the:
Inner Condition
 God will never change the Grace which He hath
bestowed on a people until they change what is in their
own souls… 8:53
 In other words, “God will not change the condition you
are in until you change the condition within.”
 As Dr. Gaffney stated in a recent presentation,
“Conduct and character is where ethics lives.”
 As such Islam refers to the development of conduct
and character as “Guarding this Inner Condition”.
Conduct and Character: Guarding the Inner Condition
Seven Portals or Access Sites to the Inner Condition
Tongue
Eyes
Ears
Stomach
Genitals
Hands
Feet
Tongue
 Speak the truth. Don’t backbite. Choose silence when it is
the best option. Do not talk excessively or at length about
trivial, meaningless things. Excessive joking without the
balance of discussing things of import is discouraged. Use
the tongue to Zikr (remember) the Creator. Give the ears
of others and your tongue a rest! In a saying of the Prophet
Muhammad: “Part of the attractiveness of a person’s Islam
is to leave alone that which does not concern him/her.”
(this includes idle chit chat)
 People are responsible for the use of their tongue
Eyes
 Guard your gaze. Don’t stare or gaze at things
obscene. When seeing something of this nature
unexpectedly, quickly lower your gaze.
 In a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: The first
glance is the woman, the second becomes something
else.
 People are responsible for the use of their eyes
Ears
 Remove yourself when the conversation turns to things
slanderous and degrading or a preponderance of
negativity. This applies when other faiths or faith
leaders past or present are being disparaged. Do not
listen to blasphemous talk or sexual innuendo. Do not
eavesdrop.
 People are responsible for the use of their ears
Stomach
 Be careful what you eat and drink. Don’t eat in excess
or in a deficient manner. (emphasis on balance) Eat
nutritiously. The Prophet Muhammad modeled filling
1/3 of the stomach with food, 1/3 with water and
leaving room for air in the other third.
 People are responsible for the use of their stomach
Genitals
 Sexual activity outside of marriage is haram
(illegal immoral sinful = seamless)
 People are responsible for the use of their genitals
Hands
 Use your hands in positive endeavors. Don’t steal.
Don’t strike others unless in self-defense. Don’t beat
yourself.
 People are responsible for the use of their hands
Feet
 Don’t make your feet take you places you should not
be. Make your feet leave any negative places and
situations you find yourself in or have gone to
mistakenly. Don’t kick others or animals unless in selfdefense.
 People are responsible for the use of their feet
QALB
 One of the 4 components that make up the inner
condition
Definition
APPENDIX A
P. 161
Diseases of the Qalb (Heart)
Diseases of the Qalb:
1 Dissatisfaction with the Design of the Designer
2 Extended Hope
3 Heedlessness
4 Love of Praise and Influence
5 Seeking Approval
Disease of the Qalb/Heart
Dissatisfaction with the Design of the Designer
p. 118
Disease of the Qalb/Heart
Heedlessness
P. 124
Heart of Today’s Discussion
 Islamic Concept of Obligatory Activities and Necessary
Activities
 The Medical Concept of Medical Necessity
CASES