Islam bars selling of kidneys: Scholar
Islam bars selling of kidneys: Scholar
JAKARTA (JP): Islam prohibits the buying and selling of
kidneys and other bodily organs, a Moslem scholar says.
Abdullah Syah, a professor of Islamic syariah (law) at the
State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN) in Medan, North
Sumatra, condemned the practice of people writing to newspapers
and other publications, offering their organs for a certain sum
of money.
"Selling kidneys or other bodily organs is strictly
forbidden," he told the Antara news agency.
Islam teaches its followers to take good care of themselves,
both physically and psychologically, as their body is a "mandate"
from God, he said.
He called on press publications to stop accepting
"advertisements" regarding kidneys and other organs.
"This is not something condoned by Allah," he said. "God
provides for us, as long as we work hard to earn our living."
Islam does not prohibit kidney transplantation in medical
emergencies, as that is an entirely different matter, he said.
"A person can donate his kidney only for the sake of saving a
patient's life," he said. "A transplant is permitted, especially
if the organ is taken from a dead body."
In 1993, a patient complained in a letter to a newspaper that
he was offered a kidney in exchange of Rp 1 billion. Within days,
other readers wrote and offered "cheaper" kidneys.
One of the letter read: "I need money very badly, I would sell
it at a more reasonable price...(and use the money) to pay for my
children's education and to start a business."
One doctor pointed out that the sale of kidneys is illegal in
Indonesia. "Kidney transplantation on a commercial basis is
prohibited," Dr. Rully Roesli said.
The 1992 Health Law states that "transplantation of organs and
connective tissues of the body and blood transfusion can be
carried out only on a humanitarian basis. The carrying out of
such procedures for commercial gain is prohibited".
Violators face a maximum of 15 years imprisonment or a fine of
Rp 300,000,000 under the law. (swe)