extending life through medical devices

Answered by Faraz Rabbani

Q My grandmother has multiple organs that are failing and she is not able to feed herself. Most of the time she is sleeping and not conscious. Her life is being extended partly by a feeding tube that has been inserted into her stomache with a tube outside for the feedings. The tube was inserted about 1-2 weeks ago.

A few months before this tube was inserted and when she felt better (a few months ago), she had recommended that we shouldn't put tubes in her to extend her life.

Do you think it is more Islamic that we keep the G-tube in or we withdraw it to honor her request?

And whoever reads this question, can you please make a deep dua to Allah subhana wa ta 'ala requesting Him to completely forgive my grandmother and all of us for her and our respective sins. Like all of us, she had shortcommings, and I am just praying that her shortcommings are not so much as to require her punishment in the grave, during Judgement Day, or after the sentencing of her outcome. May Allah, subhana wa ta 'ala reward you for your sincere dua for her and for all of us.

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.

May Allah Most High grant your grandmother the very highest of Paradise; may He magnify her good deeds and overlook her shortcomings; and may He accept her as one of His believing servants.

With regards to the G-tube:

If there is reason to believe, based on expert opinion, that your grandmother could recover, then it is best to keep the G-tube.

Otherwise, it would be better and more dignifed to follow her wishes.

And Allah alone gives success. Your grandmother and family are in our duas in these difficult and trying times. Remember the great virtue of patience.

See:

Answer on Extended Life Support

Imam Nawawi's Riyad al-Salihin: Chapter 3: On Steadfastness.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,