Resolution No.(252)(5/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Mother Authorizing Hospital to Treat Child"
Date: 6/Jumada Al-Akhirah/1439 AH, corresponding to 22/2/2018.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
During its third session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent from Dr. Ali Mish`al and Dr. Mou`min Al-Hadidi, and it read as follows:
How legal is it for a mother to authorize hospital to treat her minors or mentally disabled children? Is that an exclusive right of the father and male blood relatives who can act on his behalf? Or is it permissible for the mother to make the authorization, knowing that, in some cases, she commits herself to covering the expenses?
After deliberating, the Board decided what follows:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Islamic Law has given incompetent persons-the child, the mad and the like-the right to receive all types of care, such as that pertaining to health and medical treatment. It has made this the responsibility of the guardian, and gave the father the right to guardianship, at first, in order to put its requirements in order. However, no matter who the guardian may be, his/her actions should be in the best interest of those under his/her guardianship when it comes to their material rights, expenses and else. For example, the right to receive the best and most suitable medical care. Al-Imam Ar-Ramli (May Allah have mercy on his soul) said: "It is incumbent upon the guardian-father or else- to act in the best interest of those under his guardianship, because Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better" {Al-An`am, 152}. He, The Exalted, also Said (What means): "And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth." {Al-Baqarah, 220}." {Moghni Al-Mohtajj}.
An example on this care is providing the child and other incompetent persons with medical treatment without delay so as to spare them any harm. Therefore, if it was difficult for the hospital to obtain an authorization from the father or the grandfather, then it is permissible to obtain it from the mother. This is based on the Sharia maxim {Which means}: "What we can`t do, doesn`t annul what we can do" In other words, since treating a patient is obligatory in all situations, so we don`t abstain from that because some guardians aren`t available; rather, some jurists have made all Muslims, in general, responsible for providing care to whoever doesn`t have a guardian. Therefore, it is imperative that the hospital acts in the best interest of the patients regardless of who the guardian may be, because every course of action that inflicts harm on the patient is prohibited. This is based on the Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” {Ibn Majah}.
In its resolution No.(10/18), the International Islamic Fiqh Academy permitted initiating medical treatment without securing the patient`s or guardian`s consent in the following situation: "The patient is in critical condition that necessitates immediate medical attention to save his/her life before his or his guardian`s consent could be obtained." In this case, sufficing with the mother`s permission should take precedence.
However, in non-urgent cases, laws and regulations-which should be legislated with utmost care-should be observed so as for the medical interest of the "Minor" to be fulfilled. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member
Prof. Abdulnaser Abulbasal, Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member
Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member
Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
Dr. Wa`el Arabyat/ Member
Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member