CII Reviews Human Milk Bank, Organ Transplantation, and Key Islamic Rulings

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) convened a crucial meeting on Wednesday, addressing 19 key agenda items, including the establishment of a human milk bank, organ transplantation, and various Islamic rulings.

Chaired by Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the session included a detailed briefing by experts from the Sindh Institute of Child and Neonatology. The specialists responded to 33 questions from council members regarding the feasibility of a human milk bank. After extensive discussions, the CII decided to conduct further research before making a final ruling in its next meeting.

The council ruled that kidney and liver transplantation is permissible in Islam, provided it does not pose a serious risk to the donor’s life.

Key Islamic Terminology and Religious Guidelines

• Arabic Terms Retained: The council emphasized that religious terms such as Salah (prayer), Ayah (verse), and Masjid (mosque) should remain in their original Arabic form rather than being translated into English.
• Premarital Health Testing: It was deemed optional to include thalassemia or contagious disease testing as a provision in the Nikahnama (marriage contract). However, marriage decisions will remain at the discretion of both parties.
• Marriage Annulment Ruling: The council declared that a first wife cannot annul her marriage if her husband remarries without her consent, ruling such an annulment inconsistent with Islamic teachings.

• Pension System: The council stated that new employees can be required to participate in a contributory pension system, but existing employees cannot be forced to join. Additionally, pension funds must comply with Islamic financial principles, free from interest-based systems.
• Zakat Fund Management: The council stressed the importance of timely distribution of Zakat funds. If administrative delays occur, these funds may be deposited in profit-generating Islamic bank accounts, with the government responsible for any financial losses.

Reaffirming its previous stance, the CII rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Transgender Bill, stating that it contains un-Islamic elements similar to the 2018 Transgender Act, which was previously declared inconsistent with Islamic principles by the Federal Shariat Court. The council also criticized the Guru-Chela (mentor-disciple) concept, deeming it contrary to Islamic teachings.

The council urged scholars and intellectuals to play an active role in raising awareness about electricity theft, emphasizing the need for ethical responsibility in society.

The session concluded with prayers for the late mother of Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir. The council committed to continued research and deliberation on the discussed matters in future meetings.