Brain Death; Dead Or Not Dead

[14ers]

Shaykh Hamid Waqar delves into the jurisprudential discussion regarding death and whether brain death constitutes death. He points out differences amongst the maraja on this issue. Very interesting read: 

[Mod Note: Link removed; no longer an Islamic site; now a spam website.]

Edited September 8, 2022 by Hameedeh
Mod Note

[Repentant]

Very interesting article, I liked how it also mentioned Sunni perspectives. 

[frozen star]

In fetal life,the heart forms and starts beating long before formation of any specific brain tissues.. And the fetus is considered alive as long heart activity is present...so in IMHO a person should not be considered dead as long as heart is beating irrespective of the brain activity... Beacuse heart activity is indicator of life from the most initial stage of human development

[coldcow]

In fetal life,the heart forms and starts beating long before formation of any specific brain tissues.. And the fetus is considered alive as long heart activity is present...so in IMHO a person should not be considered dead as long as heart is beating irrespective of the brain activity... Beacuse heart activity is indicator of life from the most initial stage of human development

Makes sense.  So long as the body can support itself, I'd say that you're still alive.  But if someone is completely brain dead, scans show know higher order brain function (basically just sufficient function to keep you breathing and your organs working, is it ok to withdraw the feeding tube and allow the person to pass away?  That's a tough one.

[Gypsy]

In fetal life,the heart forms and starts beating long before formation of any specific brain tissues.. And the fetus is considered alive as long heart activity is present...so in IMHO a person should not be considered dead as long as heart is beating irrespective of the brain activity... Beacuse heart activity is indicator of life from the most initial stage of human development

This is pretty much what Sistani thinks; that brain dead is not dead in a way we are familiar with.

 

However, when a 'brain dead' person is artificially hooked up to a machine and that all the heart activity is only possible because of the machine then you cannot really say that person is still alive or has 'a sign of life'.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Gypsy

[MohammadAli1993]

On 19/04/2014 at 11:38 AM, Gypsy said:

This is pretty much what Sistani thinks; that brain dead is not dead in a way we are familiar with.

 

However, when a 'brain dead' person is artificially hooked up to a machine and that all the heart activity is only possible because of the machine then you cannot really say that person is still alive or has 'a sign of life'.

An agnostic asked me what happens to the soul when one is braindead but the heart is still beating. Wasn't really sure how to answer that. Any ideas guys? Would appreciate a juicy answer :p