Islam brochure 030216

Saving Lives Through Organ and Tissue Donation

Facts and Statistics • There are more than 123,000 people on the national organ waiting list.

• More than 5,200 Illinois and 1,400 Indiana residents are on the organ waiting list; the greatest need is for kidneys.

• Every 10 minutes, a new person joins the national transplant waiting list.

• An average of 22 people die each day in the U.S. while waiting.

• Nearly 7,000 people will die nationwide waiting for an organ transplant this year.

• More than 300 people registered for transplants in Illinois will die while waiting this year.

Consider Becoming a Donor Today For more information about organ and tissue donation, contact Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network at 630.758.2600 or 877.577.3747 or visit us online at www.

GiftofHope.org

Sarah Abdeljaber liver recipient

How to Register as a Donor

A N I S L A M IC PE R S PE C T I V E

You can register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor through the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, managed by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, or by registering online at www.GiftofHope.org Your decision is legally binding; that means, if you are medically eligible, your wishes to be an organ and tissue donor will be honored. Be sure to share your decision with your loved ones and friends. And encourage them to make the same selfless decision you did.

If you are not registered, your next of kin will make the decision for you. That’s why it is so important to discuss your wishes with your loved ones in advance. After agreeing to donation, many families have said that it helps to know that something good has come from the loss of their loved one.

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Itasca, IL 60143

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In the name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful.

My Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters in Islam, Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh (May the Peace, Blessings, and Mercy of Allah be upon you).

I write this message to share with you some very important realities regarding organ donation. We should recognize the need to donate organs and tissue as an Islamic duty and a permissible act in Islam that can save lives and improve quality of lives.

It is well known that our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is reward for serving every living being.” (Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, book 73, Number 38)* Donating an organ is an honorable act that has a great reward. The intention to preserve life is well founded in the Shari’ah. Within prescribed limits, such as honoring and respecting the human body and obtaining consent without monetary exchange, the preservation of human life and quality of life through organ donation is fundamentally Islamic.

Please consider saving a life, and encourage family and friends to do the same. Remember if we receive an organ for saving our own life or the life of a loved one, then we can and should consider donation.

Sincerely with Salam,

Sheikh Jamal Said Principal Imam & Director The Mosque Foundation Bridgeview, Illinois

Why Consider Organ Donation?

Your decision to be an organ and tissue donor gives hope and life to many people.

It can save the lives of up to nine people – and enhance the lives of hundreds more.

Medical advances have made it possible to use transplanted organs and tissues to save and enhance the lives of those suffering from a variety of terminal conditions, such as renal, liver and heart failure.

Unfortunately, more people than ever before suffer from these conditions, with some ethnic groups affected more than others.

Please take the time to think about becoming an organ and tissue donor and discuss your thoughts and feelings with your loved ones.

“Whosoever saves a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.”

The Qur’an Al-Ma’ida/The Tablespread: 32

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Islamic Faith and Organ Donation On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) - the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) - that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.” – Related by Bukhari & Muslim Organ donation is considered an expression of the believer’s altruism, and Islam encourages the virtuous qualities that support organ donation: • Generosity • Charity • Duty • Cooperation

Care and Respect of the Organ Donor The removal of organs and tissues is carried out with the utmost care and respect. Gift of Hope will do whatever we can to honor religious traditions and family wishes, including modesty.

It is the Sunna to hasten the burial of the dead; however, for very good reasons, such as the preservation of life, the deceased may be buried later as long as the body is kept properly and respected.