Blood Testing for HIV/AIDS

15-4-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

Here in Africa we have a project called Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS, in which citizens are encourage to learn their status through blood testing.Please give me the Fatwa regarding:(i) One decision to check his/her status regarding HIV/AIDS.(ii) Imams/Sheikhs are permissible to advocate to their believers for testing.(iii) If an Imam has tested, is he allowed to go public (i.e. through TV, Radio, etc.) to encourage other to test?(iv) Is the whole process against Islamic teaching?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Receiving medical treatment and longing for good health is encouraged in Islam. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart.” [Muslim]

Allah did not send down a disease without sending down its treatment; some people know it while others do not.

Imam Al-Tirmithi reported from Usaamah ibn Shareek may Allaah be pleased with him that "The Bedouins said to the Prophet ( sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )): 'O Allah's Messenger! Should we treat ourselves?' He replied: “O slaves of Allah! Seek treatment, for Allah has not send down a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely death.”

It is proved that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) his companions, and the righteous predecessors used to seek and receive treatment.

Therefore, it is permissible to take precautions by checking and taking the vaccination and medicine to protect oneself from the mentioned dangerous disease or others. The Islamic Sharee’ah also emphasizes on the affected person to receive the suitable medication to cure himself.

Moreover, advising people to check themselves and use the medicine is also recommended in the Sharee’ah since the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said in the above Hadith: “O slaves of Allah! Seek treatment…”

It is also permissible for an Imam to encourage people to treat themselves and use medicine, according to the proper means.
Finally, we remind the questioning brother that the best prevention from this disease and other diseases is adhering to the rulings of the Sharee’ah and keeping away from what is forbidden. Know that Allah does not legislate except what is beneficial and does not forbid except from what is harmful.

The current research has proved that the basic reason for the rapid spread of this fatal disease (AIDS) is illegitimate sex.

Therefore, all Muslims, particularly the Daa’iyyahs (callers to Islam) and reformers, should encourage people to follow the Sharee’ah since it is the best cure for mental, physical and psychological ailments.

Allah knows best.

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