Administering CPR on a patient

Question:-

What is the Shari’ee point of view regarding CPR? Is it advisable, or should age and circumstances be considered etc.?

Answer:-

CPR is generally carried out when an unconscious person stops breathing. It is estimated by the experts that if oxygen doesn’t reach the brain for 4 minutes, then this could cause permanent brain damage to the patient. Furthermore, they estimate that after another 4-6 minutes, a person could die.

CPR is carried out by placing the heel of one hand on the breastbone. The heel of the other hand is then placed on the heel of this hand and 30 chest compressions are given. This helps in making the blood flow to the brain.

Now, if a person stopped breathing and there is hope that by administering the CPR procedure the patient will be stabilised, then the procedure should be carried out. However, if there is no hope of recovering (as such a lengthy duration has already elapsed for example, that one is considered as dead, or the chance of recovery is minimal) then it is not necessary to administer the CPR procedure. In conclusion, the deciding factor as to whether CPR should be administered or not is dependent on whether there is hope of recovery or not.

وَفِي الْكَيْسَانِيَّاتِ فِي الْجِرَاحَاتِ الْمَخُوفَةِ وَالْقُرُوحِ الْعَظِيمَةِ وَالْحَصَاةِ الْوَاقِعَةِ فِي الْمَثَانَةِ وَنَحْوِهَا إنْ قِيلَ قَدْ يَنْجُو وَقَدْ يَمُوتُ أَوْ يَنْجُو وَلَا يَمُوتُ يُعَالَجُ وَإِنْ قِيلَ لَا يَنْجُو أَصْلًا لَا يُدَاوَى بَلْ يُتْرَكُ كَذَا فِي الظَّهِيرِيَّةِ. (الفتاوي الهندية ص360 ج5)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 30 Shawwal 1444 / 21 May 2023

CHECKED AND APPROVED:

Mufti Mohammed Desai