Note: The discussion of stem cells and their increasingly remarkable applications in treating, preventing, and rejuvenating human health underscores the need for jurisprudential and legal examination. Dr. Najla Labib Hussein Abdulrahman, an Arabic-speaking jurist, in her book The Legitimacy of Treatment with Stem Cells from the Perspective of Islamic Jurisprudence, endeavors to explore the jurisprudential dimensions of stem cell therapy. Below is a concise summary of the book’s content.

In the book’s introduction, Dr. Najla Labib Hussein Abdulrahman highlights the significance of research into modern medical treatments and the use of stem cells for addressing various diseases. The author emphasizes that in the modern world, rapid advancements in science and medicine necessitate thorough examination of jurisprudential and religious issues regarding the legitimacy of these methods.

Stem cells, due to their unique ability to regenerate tissues and treat diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, and genetic deficiencies, have gained significant importance. Therefore, examining the legitimacy of using these cells in treatment is a critical issue in Islamic jurisprudence.

The Concept of Stem Cells and Their Applications

In the first chapter, the author explains and clarifies the concept of stem cells. Stem cells are defined as cells capable of differentiating into various types of cells in the body. They are divided into two main types:

• Embryonic Stem Cells: Derived from human embryos, these cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body.
• Adult Stem Cells: Obtained from adult tissues such as bone marrow or peripheral blood, these cells have a more limited capacity to differentiate into various cell types.

Applications of Stem Cells

The second chapter discusses the characteristics and diverse applications of stem cells, emphasizing their effectiveness in treating numerous conditions, including cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, neurological disorders, and tissue damage.

Jurisprudential Foundations for Examining the Legitimacy of Stem Cell Use

One of the key chapters of the book examines the jurisprudential foundations that determine whether the use of stem cells for medical treatment is permissible or impermissible in Islam. The author begins by referencing general jurisprudential principles such as “necessity,” the “natural disposition toward treatment,” “non-harm,” and the “preservation of human life.”

• Necessity: In Islam, one of the fundamental principles for determining the legitimacy of an action is “necessity.” If the use of stem cells is essential for preserving human life or treating incurable diseases, its legitimacy is established.
• Natural Disposition Toward Treatment: Treatment is inherently necessary, as its importance is recognized by all humans through their pure natural disposition, requiring no additional proof or reasoning.
• Non-Harm: Another principle emphasized in Islamic jurisprudence is “non-harm,” meaning that no medical treatment or method should cause harm to an individual’s health. If the use of stem cells results in harm, its legitimacy is called into question.
• Preservation of Human Life: Islam generally supports anything that contributes to preserving human life. Therefore, the use of stem cells as a tool for preserving human life is permissible, provided no ethical or religious issues arise in the process.

Legitimacy of Using Embryonic Stem Cells

In this chapter, the author examines the legitimacy of using embryonic stem cells from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence. Embryonic stem cells, derived from human embryos, are a complex and sensitive issue from a religious standpoint, as embryos are generally considered sacred in Islamic jurisprudence. Any actions that lead to harming or destroying an embryo require careful scrutiny.

Some jurists believe that the use of embryonic stem cells is permissible if it is for treating incurable diseases and the risks are not foreseeable. Conversely, others argue that any manipulation of an embryo, even for therapeutic purposes, is impermissible due to the sanctity of the embryo in Islam.

The author ultimately emphasizes that if embryonic stem cells are obtained from a legally aborted embryo, their use may be permissible in certain cases.

Legitimacy of Using Adult Stem Cells

In this chapter, Dr. Najla Labib Hussein Abdulrahman addresses the legitimacy of using adult stem cells in treating diseases. Adult stem cells are typically obtained from the patient’s own tissues, posing no jurisprudential issues, as they naturally exist in the human body. Their use not only avoids harming human life but can also contribute to treating diseases.

According to the author, the use of adult stem cells, such as those from bone marrow or peripheral blood, is widely applied in treating conditions like cancer and heart failure. In this regard, Islamic jurisprudence imposes no specific prohibitions, as their use contributes to preserving life and improving health.

Ethical Challenges and Issues

In the subsequent chapter, the author addresses ethical issues related to the use of stem cells. One of the major challenges is the method of collecting and using stem cells. Some individuals express concerns about the potential exploitation of humans to obtain stem cells. Additionally, issues related to the use of embryos for medical and therapeutic purposes are significant ethical considerations that must be addressed in Islamic jurisprudence.

In the conclusion, the author reiterates that the use of stem cells from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence depends on their type and method of application. The use of adult stem cells for treating diseases is generally permissible, whereas the use of embryonic stem cells requires meticulous jurisprudential and ethical scrutiny. Ultimately, Islamic jurisprudence, based on the principles of “necessity” and “non-harm,” permits the use of these therapeutic methods when they are essential for preserving life or treating incurable diseases.

At the end of the book, the author offers recommendations to physicians, researchers, and jurists to conduct more thorough examinations of jurisprudential and ethical issues to provide appropriate solutions for using stem cells in disease treatment. The author also suggests that jurists, in collaboration with medical scholars, should contribute to the development of medical jurisprudence and propose solutions aligned with new scientific advancements.