Analysis of the Position of Islamic Law on Human Euthanasia Practices in Nigeria

Abstract

Human euthanasia, commonly referred to as mercy killing, remains one of the most contentious topics in modern legal, ethical, religious and medical discourse.  In Nigeria, where Islamic Law coexists with legislations, the received English law and customary law, the debates on euthanasia raise profound questions relating to sanctity of human life, the limits of medical intervention and the role of compassion in end-of-life decision-making. Within the framework of the Shari’ah, the concept is discussed vis-a-vis the sanctity of human life and the preservation of lineage as guaranteed under the Shari’ah. Consequently, the Shari’ah forbids ending human life regardless of motives built upon mercy or compassion due to terminal illness. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, this paper examined the meaning, motivation, classification, legal and ethical implications of euthanasia under the Islamic criminal justice system with particular reference to the primary and secondary sources of the Shari’ah including the opinion of classical and contemporary juristic views. The paper found that there is a difference between actively ending the life of the terminally ill on the ground of compassion, which is forbidden under the Shari’ah and the withdrawal of extraordinary intervention due to futility which the Shari’ah permits. Consequently, it recommended putting in place a legal framework in Nigeria that is in line with the Shari’ah that clearly addresses ending human life due to terminal illness and withdrawal of extraordinary intervention from the terminally ill.