Organ Donation
The Gift of Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Making the Decision
Is Organ Donation prohibited in Islam?
No, it is a fact that organ donation is not prohibited in Islam. If it were prohibited, Qatar and Hamad Hospital wouldn’t be promoting it so actively, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza wouldn’t have made the gesture of registering publicly.
It is stated in the Qura’an, in the name of Allah, most Gracious, Most Merciful: "He whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved all mankind”. (Holy Qur’an 5:32)
Such an act will only benefit others without causing any kind of harm to the deceased. “In Shariah legislation, the deceased shall be rewarded for both his good intention and his act, if there is no evidence of inhibition,” as has been explained on a document by HMC, about the Shariah law and Organ Donation (accessible on http://odc.hamad.qa/en/images/Fatwa_in_Organ_Donation.pdf).
Furthermore, Islam preaches the idea of providing relief and aid for the needy, especially saving those in need to lessen their suffering. Accordingly, through the donation of organs, one would be relieving a suffering patient from such agony, thus committing a virtuous deed.
To find out more, visit the “Islam and OD” page.
Why are even more donors required?
It is important for the society to understand that it is necessary for a very big response, from almost everyone. You see, to target a small number of recipients with successful donations (perfect match), you need a very large number of registered donors. And with the current situation with such few registered donors, the chances of a patient receiving an organ in time are quite low. We all hope and pray that all of us live long, happy lives, and death doesn’t come to us anytime soon, especially with the improving quality of life and health services today. However, death is eventually inevitable, and we want to ensure that even the few people who die anytime do not die in vain – their organs be utilized to address the desperate needs to the maximum possible extent.
Can I change my mind later on?
Yes, you are entitled to changing your decision any time. To do so, you simply have to visit the registration centre to withdraw your registration.
Can older people be donors?
Yes, most definitely. Organ donation is done for all ages, as organs would be utilized for other people around the same age.
Donation Details
Which organs can be donated?
Live donors can donate a kidney, a portion of the liver, intestine or tissues.
Deceased donors can donate the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestinal organs, and different types of tissue including cornea.
Read more about it on the “Transplants” page.
Who will my organs go to?
Your organs will go to the patients for whom your organs are suitable. This includes factors such as the blood group, age, weight and compatibility. Since there is only 1 national waiting list of patients, your organs will go to the first person in the waiting line, whose body is compatible with the required organ provided by you.
Can a deceased person donate sperm or eggs for future use?
Yes, it is possible to retrieve sperm or eggs from a deceased donor. However, this requires the prior, written consent of the donor, and it is illegal to store or create an embryo without this permission.
After Donation
Is the family of the donor given recognition?
Yes, the donor family is given recognition in form of medals of honor, along with several privileges:
Read about the specific details on the Organ Donation page on the HMC website (http://odc.hamad.qa)