Islamic Perspective on Assisted Dying and FAQs on Physician-assisted Dying Bill in U.K.

The section on Islamic Perspective on Assisted Dying is at the end.

Here are some FAQs on Bill.

The Bill represents a significant change in end-of-life options in England and Wales. While it has passed several parliamentary hurdles, implementation could take several years after it becomes law. The proposed approach is more restrictive than those in countries like Canada, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, limiting eligibility to terminally ill adults with six months or less to live. Comprehensive safeguards and oversight mechanisms are being developed to ensure the law operates safely and effectively. 

Q1. Is the Bill likely to come into law, if so when?

A1. Although the Bill has made significant progress through Parliament. It passed its second reading on November 29, 2024, with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against. The bill then proceeded to the Committee stage, which concluded on March 28, 2025. The bill must still pass through the report stage and third reading in the Commons, followed by consideration in the House of Lords before it can receive Royal Assent. The provisions may not come into effect until as late as 2029. According to the Bill, it will come into force either two years after Royal Assent or at an earlier date appointed by the health secretary.

Q2. Will the bill apply throughout the United Kingdom?

A2. No. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will only apply to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland are not covered by this legislation. The Isle of Man, which is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, has already passed its own assisted dying bill in March 2025, becoming the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to do so.

Q3. Who will be eligible for assisted dying under the proposed law?

A3. Based on the bill as initially proposed and amended through the committee stage, eligible persons must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be aged 18 or older
• Live in England or Wales and have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months
• Have the mental capacity to make an informed decision
• Express a clear, settled, and informed wish to end their life, free from coercion or pressure
• Have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live
• Make two separate declarations about their wish to die, which must be witnessed and signed
• Satisfy two independent doctors of their eligibility, with at least seven days between assessments

Q4. How does the UK Bill differ from criteria in other countries?

A4. The UK proposal is narrower than laws in some other countries:

Canada: Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program does not require a person to have a terminal illness. Eligibility includes having a "grievous and irremediable medical condition," being in an advanced state of irreversible decline, and experiencing enduring and intolerable suffering. Canada has delayed eligibility for those whose sole condition is mental illness until March 2027.

Switzerland: Swiss law permits assisted suicide for both residents and non-residents, including those who are not terminally ill, provided they have decision-making capacity and can self-administer the lethal substance.

Netherlands: Dutch law allows both euthanasia and assisted suicide for those experiencing "unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement," which includes non-terminal conditions. The Netherlands also permits assisted dying for minors as young as 12 with parental consent (ages 12-15) or parental consultation (ages 16-17).

Q5. Will people with disabilities be eligible?

A5. Under the proposed UK law, disability alone would not qualify someone for assisted dying. A person with a disability would only be eligible if they also have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Q6. How will the assisted dying process work?

A6. Based on the bill and amendments, the process would involve several stages:

1. Initial request: A person with a terminal illness would begin by making an initial request to their doctor.
2. First declaration: The person would make a formal declaration of their wish to die, which must be signed by the person and witnessed.
3. First medical assessment: A doctor would assess whether the person meets the eligibility criteria, including terminal illness with six months or less to live.
4. Second medical assessment: At least seven days later, a second independent doctor would conduct another assessment.
5. Second declaration: The person would make a second declaration confirming their wish.
6. Review by expert panel: Following committee amendments, a multi-disciplinary panel consisting of a senior lawyer (which could be a High Court Judge), a consultant psychiatrist, and a social worker would review the application18. This replaces the original proposal for review by a single High Court judge.
7. Reflection period: Originally, a 14-day reflection period was proposed after judicial approval16.
8. Provision of medication: If approved, the medication for assisted dying would be provided.

Throughout this process, doctors are explicitly prevented from discussing assisted dying in isolation from other options such as palliative care, symptom management, and psychological support.

Q7. What oversight and safeguards will be in place?

A7. The amended bill includes provisions for:

• A Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission led by a Commissioner appointed by the prime minister within 12 months of the law taking effect
• The Commissioner will produce annual reports in consultation with the Chief Medical Officers for England and Wales and the Equality and Human Rights Commission
• Independent advocates will be available for individuals who may require additional support, such as people with learning disabilities, autism, or mental health conditions

Q8. What methods will be used for assisted dying in the UK?

A8. The bill does not specifically outline the methods to be used. The types of substances to be used would be determined by regulations developed by the Department of Health and Social Care. Based on international practices, these would likely include:

Self-administered medication: The person would take medication orally or through another self-administered method. In Oregon and other U.S. states, this typically involves a prescribed lethal dose of barbiturates.

Clinician-administered medication: Though not confirmed for the UK, this is available in countries like Canada, where a medical practitioner directly administers a substance that causes death, typically through injection.

Q9. How do the methods differ in other countries?

A9. Canada: MAID in Canada permits two methods: (1) clinician-administered, where a physician or nurse practitioner directly administers a substance that causes death, or (2) self-administered, where the eligible person takes prescribed medication themselves.

Switzerland: In Switzerland, the person must self-administer the lethal substance, typically sodium pentobarbital, which is usually ingested orally. Organizations like Pegasos have developed devices that allow even people with limited mobility, such as tetraplegics, to self-administer by activating an infusion with a simple movement.

Netherlands: Both self-administered and physician-administered methods are permitted.

Q10. Where will assisted dying take place?

A10. The search results do not specify where assisted dying would take place in the UK. Based on practices in other countries, it might occur in:

• The person's home
• Healthcare facilities
• Specialized centers

In Switzerland, assisted dying typically takes place at facilities run by organizations like Dignitas and Exit.

Q11. What has been the experience in other countries with assisted dying laws?

A11. Canada: Since its implementation in 2016, Canada has expanded its MAID program. According to data from 2022, MAID represents 4.1% of all deaths in Canada, with 96.5% of cases involving people whose deaths were "reasonably foreseeable".

Switzerland: Switzerland has permitted assisted suicide since 1937, conducted through non-profit organizations rather than as a medical act8. Recently, the cost for foreigners seeking assisted suicide in Switzerland has increased significantly to approximately £15,000, representing a 50% increase in five years. New guidelines from the Swiss Medical Association require two meetings with a doctor at least two weeks apart.

Oregon, USA: Oregon's Death with Dignity Act has been in place since 1997, requiring terminal illness with six months to live. In 2022, Oregon removed its residency requirement, allowing out-of-state residents to access assisted dying there.

Q12. How expensive is assisted dying for individuals?

A13. In countries where assisted dying is incorporated into the healthcare system, there may be minimal direct costs to individuals. However:

• In Switzerland, the cost for foreigners seeking assisted suicide has increased to approximately £15,000.
• As part of the National Health Service, it would likely be provided without direct charges to eligible individuals.

Q14. What safeguards will be in place to prevent abuse or coercion?

A14. The bill includes numerous safeguards:

• Requirement for two separate declarations about the wish to die
• Assessment by two independent doctors with at least seven days between assessments
• Review by a multi-disciplinary panel including legal, psychiatric, and social work expertise
• Reflection periods between stages of the process
• The requirement that the person has the capacity and is free from coercion
• Explicit requirement for doctors to discuss all care options, not just assisted dying
• Independent advocates for vulnerable individuals
• Oversight by a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission
• Annual reporting requirements

Q15. Can healthcare providers opt out of participating?

A15. The UK Bill does not specifically address conscientious objection. However, in other jurisdictions such as Canada, provisions exist for healthcare providers to decline participation while ensuring patients still have access to care, often through a referral system.

Q16. What happens after the law is passed but before implementation?

After Royal Assent, there will be a period of policy development by the Department of Health and Social Care to determine operational details. The bill delegates several decisions to the health secretary, including:

• Required qualifications for coordinating doctors
• Forms of identification patients must provide
• Substances that may be used to bring about death
• Records that must be kept by doctors
• Codes of practice governing the assisted dying process

Q17. What support will be available for families?

A17. There are no details available yet. This would likely be addressed in the implementation regulations developed after the bill becomes law.

Q18. How will this impact end-of-life care generally?

A18. The amended bill requires that doctors discuss all care options with patients, including palliative care, symptom management, and psychological support, rather than assisted dying in isolation. 

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Q19. What is the difference between active euthanasia, passive euthanasia and assisted dying?

• Active euthanasia involves a direct action to end a life for instance by use of a lethal injection.
• Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing medical treatment thereby allowing natural death to take place.
• Assisted suicide involves providing the means for a patient to end their own life, for example, by prescribing lethal medication.

Q20. Islamic Principles Regarding Life and Death

• Sanctity of Life: Islam considers life a Divine trust (amānah) from Allah. The Qur’an states: "Do not kill yourselves, for Allah is ever Merciful to you" (4:29) and “Do not take life, which Allah made sacred, other than in the course of justice.” (Qur’an 17:33)
  In Islam any action which results in the death of an individual is a crime unless sanctioned by Shariah. Active euthanasia and assisted suicide both violate this principle, as they involve intentional killing. 
• Divine Authority Over Death: The Qur’an emphasizes that death occurs only by Allah’s decree: "No soul can ever die except by Allah’s leave, at a predetermined time" (3:145). Human intervention to hasten death is thus prohibited.
• Prohibition of Suicide: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned us by saying, "Whoever kills himself with something will be punished with it in the Hellfire" (Sahih Muslim 109).

Q21. What is the Islamic ruling on euthanasia and assisted dying?

A21. In Islam, life is considered a sacred trust (amanah) from Allah, and its sanctity is unequivocally emphasized in the Qur’an and Sunnah. The Qur’an explicitly prohibits suicide and homicide:

• “And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful” (Qur’an 4:29).
• “Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land it is as if he had slain mankind entirely” (Qur’an 5:32).

Active euthanasia (deliberately administering lethal drugs) and assisted suicide (providing means for self-termination) are categorically forbidden (haram) in Islamic jurisprudence. Scholars unanimously equate these acts to murder or suicide, both of which carry severe spiritual consequences. Even in cases of terminal illness, Muslims are obligated to endure suffering patiently, seeking healing through permissible means while trusting divine decree (Qadar).

Passive euthanasia is permissible under specific conditions. When treatment, in the opinion of medical experts, is considered to be futile.  

• Futile Treatment: Withholding or withdrawing treatment that only prolongs suffering without benefit is permissible. For example, stopping ventilation for a brain-dead patient.
• Intention: The goal must be to avoid undue burden and harm, not to hasten death. Palliative care including pain management remains obligatory, even if it indirectly shortens life.

Q22. What should Muslims do if pressured to consider assisted dying?

A22. If pressurised Muslims should:

• Seek counsel: Consult imams or Islamic medical ethicists to navigate complex decisions.
• Leverage community support: Mosque-based initiatives can provide financial, emotional, and spiritual assistance to families.
• Advance directives: draft an Islamic living will (wasiyyah) specifying preferences for natural death and prohibitions on euthanasia

Q23. How should the UK Muslim community prepare for the Bill?

A23. Assuming the Bill will pass into law the local UK Muslim community should consider doing the following:

• Inform Families and Individuals: Host seminars, distribute leaflets, and use mosque platforms to explain what the law means, its ethical implications, and the Islamic position on assisted dying, which is firmly prohibited.
• Develop Community-Based Services: Expand initiatives like Eden Care UK and the Muslim Burial Fund, which provide befriending, financial, and practical support to terminally ill Muslims and their families.
• Training and Guidance: Encourage Muslim clinicians to seek training in palliative care and Islamic medical ethics, so they can better support patients and families facing end-of-life decisions.