Is taking medical treatment obligatory?
Question
Is there any situation when medical treatment is Waajib, such that it will be a sin not to take medical treatment. If a person knows for sure that the treatment will be beneficial, then does he have a choice to forego medical assistance? If a person’s wife is going through the same sickness, can a husband stop her from taking medical treatment?
Answer
Taking treatment for any illness is Sunnah. Hence, if a person doesn’t want to take treatment, then he cannot be forced to take treatment. On the other hand, if one intends taking treatment, then there is no harm in doing so. No person can tell with certainty and conviction that a particular treatment will be beneficial as this is only in the knowledge of Allah Ta’ala. Therefore, if a person refuses treatment and passes away, he will not be sinful.
If the person’s wife (in question) wants to take treatment which is a Sunnah, then the husband shouldn’t prevent her from doing so. She should be afforded the opportunity to take the necessary treatment.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
والرجل إذا استطلق بطنه أو رمدت عيناه فلم يعالج حتى أضعفه ذلك وأضناه ومات منه لا إثم عليه فرق بين هذا وبينما إذا جاع ولم يأكل مع القدرة حتى مات حيث يأثم والفرق أن الأكل مقدار قوته مشبع بيقين فكان تركه إهلاكا ولا كذلك المعالجة والتداوي كذا في الظهيرية. (الفتاوي الهندية ص355 ج5)
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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