Imagine a moment when your life suddenly stops due to organ failure, and the only hope for survival is receiving a new organ. This is the reality faced by thousands of people around the world, including in the Gulf countries. But there is always hope. There is hope and a chance to give life again to those who need it most through organ donation.
Years ago, there was a 22-year-old patient suffering from chronic kidney failure. Her life was limited to frequent and painful dialysis sessions, spending nearly 720 hours a year at the dialysis center. She was unable to live a normal life, such as exercising, traveling, or going to work regularly. But thanks to Allah and to a generous donor who willingly donated one of his kidneys for the sake of Allah, Fatimah received a kidney from this donor. Today, Fatimah lives a high-quality life, can carry out all her daily activities, and achieve all the dreams she had long awaited. The generous donor remains in full health and well-being.
To put it simply, organ donation is the process of transferring a healthy organ from a donor to a patient who needs it. The donor can be alive or brain-dead. Organs that can be donated include the kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, and intestines.
The Importance of Organ Donation
Organ donation is a humane and noble act that saves lives and restores hope to many. It is a gift beyond measure, giving the recipient a chance to live again. Organ donation has a profoundly positive impact on the recipient’s life, bringing them back to life and offering a new opportunity to enjoy it. After the transplant, the patient regains the ability to carry out daily activities, return to work, study, and maintain social relationships, greatly improving their quality of life.
In the Gulf countries, there is an urgent need for organ donors. The number of patients waiting for organ transplants is continuously increasing, while the number of donors remains below the required level, despite the progress Gulf countries have made in healthcare and the facilities available for organ donation. This is mainly due to a lack of awareness about the importance of organ donation among many people, which leads some to hesitate to donate or to express their willingness to donate. Some also fear the health consequences of donation or that their organs might be removed before death. While any procedure carries some risks, organ donation is generally considered safe thanks to medical advancements and improvements in transplant techniques. It allows both the donor and the recipient to return to their normal lives and enjoy every moment.
Allah Almighty emphasized the importance of preserving life in many verses, As Allah the Exalted says:”Wa lā taqtulū anfusakum; inna Allāha kāna bikum raḥīman.” [An-Nisa: 29]. Meaning: “And do not kill yourselves or one another. Indeed, Allah has ever been Most Merciful toward you.” Organ donation helps save the life of a person suffering from organ failure, thus preserving one life and giving life to another. The Noble Sunnah also includes many hadiths that emphasize the importance of preserving life, such as the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: “Whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.”
Among the benefits of organ donation, in addition to saving lives and improving their quality, is the reduction of treatment costs. Organ transplantation is less expensive than long-term alternative treatments, which can never fully replace a transplant. This act also reflects the values of solidarity and cooperation within the community, promoting righteousness and piety. Allah Almighty says: “Wa ta‘āwanū ‘alā al-birri wa al-taqwā wa lā ta‘āwanū ‘alā al-ithmi wa al-‘udwān.” [Al-Ma’idah: 2] Meaning: Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression.
In conclusion
Organ donation is a noble and courageous personal decision that has a profound impact on the lives of others. Let us all contribute to raising awareness about the importance of organ donation and encourage our families and friends to register as donors on accredited platforms. Registering as a donor is a simple decision, but it restores hope and helps save lives.
