Muslim Nurses Administering Haram Medications

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Sep 11, 2009

hi caribmuslimah-that must be a difficult...im sure u gave this alot of thought while in school....what did you come up with?

CaribMuslimah, RN · Sep 11, 2009

peace be upon you

to be perfectly honest with you, i didn't give it any thought while in school. the truth of the matter is still the same: haram is haram is haram.

so, the only solution is to avoid...but how? of course i am makind du'aa' (supplication) and seeking out help from those with more knowledge than i have.

and the point of me asking the question was to see how other brothers and sisters deal with the issue

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2009

Is your new employer aware of potential conflicts with medication administration?

rn/writer, RN · Sep 11, 2009

Some nurses who are Jehovah's Witnesses--a group that does not allow the use of blood products, even in life threatening circumstances--do not feel right about administering blood products to others. Many will set up the transfusion and monitor the patient, but some will not spike the bag, and most will not start the transfusion. They will ask another nurse to do the small part of the procedure they do not want to do, perhaps picking up some of the coworker's tasks in exchange. Almost all of them will do everything except spiking the bag and/or starting the transfusion.

This is doable when the occurrence of such an event is not frequent, when the nurse has informed her manager that she has this personal restriction, and when there are enough coworkers who are willing to sub for her when the need arises. It is much more of a challenge when transfusions take place often or when coworkers are unwilling or unable to step in to help.

It would be silly to say such a nurse should find a unit where transfusions never take place. But common sense says it would be equally silly to suggest that she should seek employment on a bone marrow transplant unit or a SICU where blood products abound.

With that example in mind, you would have to ask yourself how frequently this situation would occur and what kinds of alternatives you would propose to cover your patient.

It might also be good to be certain that these medications are truly haram for everyone under all circumstances, or if there are exceptions related to purpose, degree of necessity, and whether or not the patient shares your faith.

Could you give us an example of a haram medication and why it is haram?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2009

I think that this might be a question for your imam. I know in Judaism even the orthodox may, if no kosher alternative is available, take something non-kosher and life-saving because one lives by the commandments, not dies by them

I did some searching on this and there seems to be disagreement even among the learned'.

This is an interesting question. I will be following this thread and know I will learn something.

Ramadan mubarek.

:)

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2009

Could you give us an example of a haram medication and why it is haram?

The old insulins made from pigs is an immediate example, although i don't know that they exist any more.

allnurses Guide · Sep 11, 2009

I did a quick google search for haram and medications and found a site which discusses this in detail

Concerning the question of whether some of the prohibited food substances (like pig meat or ingredients) can be used as medicine, there is a difference of opinion among jurists. Some do not consider medicine to belong in the category of a compelling necessity like food, and in support of their position they cite the Hadith:
"Assuredly Allah did not provide a cure for you in what He has prohibited to you."
(Reported by Al-Bukhari on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud.)

Others consider the need for medicine equal to that of food, as both are necessary for preserving life. In support of their position that prohibited food substances may be used as medicine, they argue that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) allowed `Abdur-Rahman ibn `Awf and Az-Zubayr ibn Al-`Awwam to wear silk because they were suffering from scabies. (The text of this Hadith is quoted in the subsection of this book entitled "Clothing and Ornaments.")
Perhaps this latter view is closer to the spirit of Islam which, in all its rules and teachings, is concerned with the preservation of human life. However, taking medicine containing some haram (prohibited) substances is permissible only under the following conditions:
1. The patient's life is endangered if he does not take this medicine.
2. No alternative or substitute medication made from entirely halal (lawful) sources is available.
3. The medication is prescribed by a Muslim physician who is knowledgeable as well as Allah-fearing.

not sure if this is helpful

dannyc12 · Sep 11, 2009

I'm calling BS on this one.

Are we supposed to believe the OP got through Dosage Calcluation studying, exams, and clinicals without thinking about this issue?

I suspect the post is satirical commentary on the recent "anti-abortion" and "no blood products" threads.

Which leads me to my commentary on all of the hand-wringing over supernatural beliefs: You have a job to do, a role to perform. You chose that role. If your religious beliefs interfere with you doing that job, then go find something else to do.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2009

I'm calling BS on this one.
Are we supposed to believe the OP got through Dosage Calcluation studying, exams, and clinicals without thinking about this issue?
I suspect the post is satirical commentary on the recent "anti-abortion" and "no blood products" threads.
Which leads me to my commentary on all of the hand-wringing over supernatural beliefs: You have a job to do, a role to perform. You chose that role. If your religious beliefs interfere with you doing that job, then go find something else to do.

I disagree. The OP had posted and frequently about her faith.

I don't have a problem accomodating someone's beliefs. As has been said, a bone marrow transplant unit would be a bad choice for a Jehovah's Witness, and Planned Parenthood would be a no go for a strict Catholic. However, nursing is a very large field and there is room for us all at the table.

dannyc12 · Sep 11, 2009

I stand corrected.

Good luck!

AndyLyn · Sep 11, 2009

Maybe it would be a good idea for you to look for a position that allows you to keep your beliefs without compromising them, or causing difficulty to your patients or co-workers. What exactly are you not allowed to do?