Between Islamic law and science : Contemporary Muftis and Muslim ethicists on embryo and stem cells research

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-50
Author(s):  
Vardit Rispler-Chaim

In practice, stem-cell and embryo research have encountered little resistance in Arab and Islamic countries, and it is already in progress in Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, and elsewhere. The Islamic scientific community is largely free of religious inhibitions that jeopardize attempts of scientists in Christian oriented countries, for example, to engage in embryo and stem-cell research. The reason lies with the nature of Islamic medical ethics. According to this ethical system, obtaining knowledge is a human’s duty, and an act of faith. Also, science is revealed by Allah to humans to serve humankind, and human life must be saved by all possible means. According to Islamic theology, “humanity”/the soul, is inspired into the fetus only at 120 days of pregnancy. Therefore, the use of fetuses younger than 120 days in research, and especially if sick or disabled and with a short life expectancy, if born alive at all, is not prohibited, provided that certain stipulations are followed. The use of superfluous zygotes in research is also encouraged, instead of their simply being destroyed. The principle that guides the ethics is that the public good [maslaha] gained from the fruits of the research outweighs the harm [darar]. The research is welcomed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-189
Author(s):  
Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi ◽  
◽  
Fateha Abd Halim ◽  
Tengku Dewi Ahdiyaty Tengku Ahmad Mazlin ◽  
Aizurra Haidah Abdul Kadir ◽  
...  

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had introduced Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) initiatives to help Islamic banks implement a structuralised form of maqasid al-shariah (objectives of shariah (Islamic law)) in their banking operations. Thus, questions were raised by the public on whether or not Islamic banking institutions in Malaysia had been achieving maqasid al-shariah in their banking operations prior to VBI. This paper aims to discuss the real concept of maqasid al-shariah that should be realised in Islamic banks and investigate whether Islamic banks had truly been achieving maqasid al-shariah in their banking operations before the introduction of VBI. Library research is conducted to obtain information on maqasid al-shariah and the qualitative methodology is adopted to gain information from three bankers representing three Islamic banks in Malaysia via semi-structured interviews. The researchers found that the fundamental concept of maqasid al-shariah in Islamic banks includes the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth in human life through the products and services offered by the banks. The Islamic banks were found to have developed their products and services to achieve maqasid al-shariah even before VBI was introduced by BNM. However, with VBI, a proper framework in achieving maqasid al-shariah has been developed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 37 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 543-595
Author(s):  
Leora Dahan

AbstractAt the turn of the millennium, some of the most controversial topics being internationally debated were the issues of embryonic stem cell research and cloning. Stem cell research involves the exploration of the medical possibilities latent in primary, relatively undifferentiated cells. Such research, however, is not fully supported by the entire scientific community or by all of the general public due to the ethically controversial practices involved in such research. Generally, stem cell research requires the destruction of an embryo, which is perceived by some as the destruction of human life, or at least the destruction of an entity bearing the potential to evolve into human life. Thus, despite its vast potential, stem cell research has been condemned by some as disrespectful of the value of human life, and even as murder. Similarly, therapeutic cloning techniques have been attacked as unnatural and unethical, especially due to their close affiliation with reproductive cloning. The wide variety of opinions held throughout the globe has lead to a diverse spectrum of legal arrangements. Various governments have chosen to regulate this matter in various ways. Some have explicitly addressed the matter in primary legislation, while others have chosen more indirect ways of “resolving” the situation. Still others have chosen to “ignore” the problem by neglecting to establish a clear legal policy. This article reviews the various ethical and legal perspectives held with regard to these controversial fields and suggests the preferability of one particular ethical tendency and one particular method of regulation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Eficandra Eficandra

Ijtihad conducted by Ali ibn Abi Talib continuously to understand in depth the purpose of Islamic law and reason for its implementation, and to realize maslahah (the public good) for human life on earth. This Ijtihad was always supported by nas the Qur’an’s and Sunnah’s text) and also according to the spirit of Shari’ah. The results of Ali’s ijtihad if linked with the approach and application of maqasid al-shari’ah (the goals and objectives of Islamic law) as the study of usul al-fikih (the methodology of Islamic law) had many similarities. In another sense, Ali ibn Abi Talib was really smart to understand and apply maqasid al-shari’ah in the five types of maslahah, namely faith or religion, life or human self, intellect, lineage or posterity, and property or wealth. Likewise, in the application of the five maslahah, levels and priorities in the form daruriyyat (the essential benefits), hajiyyat (the complementary benefits), and tahsiniyyat (the embellishment benefits) was always be considered by him. On the other hand, if there was a clash between one maslahah with another maslahah, Ali ibn Abi Talib solved it by consideration of the level and priority in the implementation of mas}lah}ah to be realized.


Author(s):  
Imran Imran ◽  
Muammar Muammar ◽  
Jauharah Jauharah ◽  
T. Azwar Aziz ◽  
Darmawi Darmawi ◽  
...  

The existence of guardians in the implementation of marriage contract has been explained in Islamic law in a clear and detailed manner. Guardian for a woman becomes one of pillar in the implementation of the marriage contract, and has a systematic sequence that starts from the main one and moves sequentially to the one after, if the one above is considered ‘uzur. But the primacy of the existence of the guardian is not utilized maximally in the perception of the Acehnese people. So that most people tend to represent the implementation of the marriage contract to other people such as pious people or marriage registration officers. The parental guardian prefers to care for his guardian rights to others even though basically there is no obstacle that hinder him. The problem is the practice law of tawkil marriage in the tradition of Aceh people according to Islamic law review. The results of the study shows that the public perception of the implementation of wakalah (tawkil) marriage is based on an understanding about the ability to be brave in the implementation of the marriage contract. But their understanding is based on habits that occur in the traditions of society, not based on the results of scientific studies. Indeed, the practice of tawkil or wakalah marriage that occurs in Acehnese society does not conflict with religious law, but the implication is the erosion of the erosion of the existence of guardians and the parental guardian in a very memorable contract in the history of a human life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 242
Author(s):  
Suryani Suryani ◽  
Yudi Ahmad Faisal ◽  
Muhammad Anwar Fathoni ◽  
Lukman Santoso

The implementation of Islamic economy in Indonesia is due to the fact that Islam has a comprehensive and universal teaching in all human life aspects, including economy. One encouraging Islamic banking development in Indonesia is indicated by the operation of banks accommodating the Sharia principles. The rapid development of Sharia banking requires an immediate implementation of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) System to provide a maximum protection for the stakeholders, especially customers. The implementation of GCG is expected to help Sharia banking minimize the poor financing quality, increase the bank assessment accuracy, infrastructure, and business decision making quality as well as become the early detection to high risk business areas, products, and services. The implementation of GCG system is greatly important since Sharia banking is the intermediary institution requiring the public or stakeholders’ trust.


Author(s):  
J. Benjamin Hurlbut

The introduction introduces the topic and central argument of the book: that at the heart of the human embryo research debates was the question of how the public should reason together about a domain of science and technology that touches upon the most fundamental dimensions of human life. It introduces the methodological approach and coproductionist theoretical framework of the study. It introduces the idea of the “constitutional position of science” in American democracy, and illustrates the unacknowledged but constitutional position of scientific authority in John Rawls' idea of public reason.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 977-990
Author(s):  
Firdaus Khairi Abdul Kadir

The two main sources of Islam are the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet. From these two sources, there appear Ijma’ (consensus) and Qiyas (analogic reasoning) as supporting complements to Islamic law. Both sources enable Muslims to apply any injunction (nass) to a new circumstance and create a new injunction. With the advancement of the information technology, these two sources are easily referred through cd, soft wares, online information which provide traditional and modern commentaries on the Quran. While the Hadith has been regarded as a secondary source and covers various aspects of human life in social interaction, economic life and personal welfare. The issue that come to our concern is that how to identify hadith authenticity and sources prior to be considered as Islamic source of reference. This is necessary to prevent Muslims from being exposed to negative effect such as their faith, religious law and other acts of worship. Furthermore, the number of fabricated hadiths keep increasing from day to day thus making the public are often confused about the legitimacy of the practice and source. This paper therefore will focus on the legality of hadiths of the Prophet that involve studying and examining its authenticity and to investigate their impacts on religious beliefs, besides suggesting solutions to the issue. The methodology employed involves analysis of secondary data from books and other modern writings. This study also used other qualitative methods such as interviews with Muslim religious leaders who will provide necessary views concerning the issue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-144
Author(s):  
Dini Maulana Lestari ◽  
M Roif Muntaha ◽  
Immawan Azhar BA

Islamic banks are present in the community as financial institutions whose activities are based on the principles of Islamic law for the benefit of the people. This study aims to determine the strategic role of Islamic Banks as financial service institutions, the importance of the existence of Islamic Banks and Islamic-based markets and financial instruments in them. In its development, Islamic banks have a role as institutions that turn on public funds, channel funds to the public, transfer assets, liquidity, reallocation of income and transactions. In the Indonesian economic system, the existence of Islamic Banks is important as an alternative solution to the problem of conflict between bank interest and usury. Islamic financial markets and instruments provide a free society of interest and follow a different set of principles. Distribution of profit/ loss according to evidence of participation in the management fund. The division of rental income in the form of musharaka.


Author(s):  
Ramizah Wan Muhammad ◽  
Khairunnasriah Abdul Salam ◽  
Afridah Abbas ◽  
Nasimah Hussin

Aceh is a special province in Indonesia and different from other Indonesian provinces especially in the context of Shari'ah related laws. Aceh was granted special autonomy and legal right by the Indonesian central government in 2001 to fully apply Islamic law in the province. Generally, Islamic law which is applicable to Muslims in Indonesia is limited to personal laws just as in Malaysia. However, with the passage of time, Islamic law has expanded to include Islamic banking and finance. Besides that, Islamic law in Aceh is also extended to govern criminal matters which are in line with the motto of Aceh Islamic government to apply Islamic law in total or kaffah. Since 1999, the legal administration of Aceh has begun to gradually put in place the institutional framework to ensure that Islamic law is properly administered and implemented. Equally important, such framework is also aimed to ensure that punishments are fairly executed. This paper attempts to analyse the extent of the applicability of Islamic criminal law in Aceh. It is divided into three major parts. The first part discusses the phases in making Aceh an Islamic province and the roles played by Dinas Syariat Islam Aceh as the policy maker in implementing Islamic law as well as educating and training the public about the religion of Islam. The second part gives an overview on the Islamic criminal law and punishment provided in Qanun Aceh No.6/2014 on Hukum Jinayat (hereinafter Qanun Hukum Jinayat or “QHJ”) as well as the criminal procedural law concerning the methods of proof codified in Qanun Aceh No.7/2013 on Hukum Acara Jinayat (hereinafter “QAJ”). The third part of this paper highlights the challenges in the application and implementation of Islamic criminal law in Aceh, and accordingly provides recommendations for the improvement of the provisions in the QHJ and QAJ. Inputs from the interviews with the drafters of QHJ, namely Prof. Dr. Hamid Sarong and Prof. Dr Al Yasa are utilized in preparing this paper. In addition, inputs gathered from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), namely Indonesian Syarie Lawyers Association (APSI) and Jaringan Masyarakat Sipil Peduli Syariah (JMSPS) are employed. The findings of this research are important in providing an in-depth understanding on the framework of Islamic criminal law in Aceh as well as in recognizing the flaws in its application or practical aspects of the law in Aceh. Keywords: Islamic law, Aceh, Administration, Punishment. Abstrak Aceh merupakan sebuah Wilayah Istimewa di Indonesia dibandingkan dengan wilayah-wilayah lain dari segi pelaksanaan undang-undang Islam. Aceh diberi status Wilayah Istimewa yang berautonomi oleh Pemerintah Pusat Indonesia pada tahun 2001 untuk melaksanakan undang-undang Islam secara menyeluruh. Pemakaian dan pelaksanaan undang-undang Islam di Aceh tidak terhad pada Undang-undang jenayah tetapi telah meliputi bidang perbankan dan kewangan Islam. Sejak tahun 1999, Pentadbiran Undang-undang Aceh telah merangka undang-undang bagi memastikan undang-undang Islam dapat ditadbir dan dilaksanakan dengan baik. Selain itu juga, undang-undang yang dirangka juga turut bertujuan untuk memastikan hukuman yang berasaskan undang-undang Islam dapat dilaksanakan secara adil. Oleh itu, kajian dalam kertas kerja ini dibuat uuntuk menganalisa sejauh mana undang-undang jenayah Islam dilaksanakan di Aceh. Kertas ini terbahagi kepada tiga bahagan utama, yang mana bahagian pertama membincangkan latas belakang awal kewujudan wilayah Islam Aceh dan peranan yang dimainkan oleh Dinas Syariat Islam Aceh sebagai mpembuat dasar dalam pelaksanaan undang-undang Islam, mendidik serta menyediakan latihan kepada masyarakat umum di Aceh mengenai Islam. Bahagian kedua menyediakan gambaran umum tentang undang-undang jenayah dan hukuman dalam Islam sebagaimana termaktub dalam Qanun Aceh No.6/2014 berkenaan Hukum Jinayat (“Qanun Hukum Jinayat” atau “QHJ”) serta undang-undang prosedur jenayah berkenaan cara pembuktiaan jenayah sebagaimana yag termaktub dalam Qanun Aceh No.7/2013 berkenaan Hukum Acara Jinayat (“QAJ”). Bahagian ketiga kertas ini menekankan masalah atau cabaran yang dihadapi daam pelaksanaan undang-undang jenayah Islam di Aceh, serta menyediakan cadangan-cadangan bagi penambahbaikan peruntukan-peruntukan yang ada dalam QHJ dan QAJ. Maklumat hasil dari temuramah dengan Prof. Dr. Hamid Sarong dan Prof. Dr Al Yasa telah digunakan bagi menyiapkan makalah ini. Selain itu, maklumat yang diperolehi daripada organisasi bukan kerajaan iaitu Indonesian Syarie Lawyers Association (APSI) dan Jaringan Masyarakat Sipil Peduli Syariah (JMSPS) turut dimanfaatkan. Dapatan dari kajian ini penting bagi menyediakan kefahaman terhadap kerangka undang-undang jenayah Islam di Aceh serta mengenal pasti masalah dalam aspek peruntukan undang-undang tersebut atau pelaksanaannya di Aceh. Kata Kunci: Undang-undang Islam, Aceh, Pentadbiran, Hukuman.


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