Islamic Bioethical Deliberations on Brain Death

It has been more than half a century since the concept of brain death was introduced. Although brain death is now generally recognized by many nations worldwide as legally accepted death, the very concept is still far from being self-evident. It continues to trigger various discussions over the years, where not only scientists but also ethicists and religious scholars have been debating on a wide range of issues and have formed camps of those who defend or oppose the concept. The main thrust of this thesis is to provide an analytical overview of the bioethical deliberations on brain death within the Islamic tradition. As to be realized throughout the thesis, a proper understanding of the discussions within the Islamic tradition cannot happen without a good understanding of both the scientific and ethical discussions that took place outside the Islamic tradition. Thus, the thesis aims to highlight the diversity of opinions and the types of arguments brought forth in the heated debates on brain death.