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A Review on the Applications of Rukhsoh

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 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

A REVIEW ON THE APPLICATIONS OF RUKHSOH IN MEDICAL PRACTICE.

Che Anuar Che Mohamad1, Rosazra Roslan2, Mohd Ariff Sharifudin3,

Mai Nurul Ashikin Taib4

Abstract
Rukhsoh (permit) is a concessionary law and is the technical opposite of azimah (decidedness)
in Islamic jurisprudence. It is considered an important flexible rule that Muslim physicians
need to understand in order to develop solutions for hardships and difficulties in performing
practical acts of worship. However, discussions regarding this matter in both classical and
current literatures of Islamic jurisprudence are generally limited and poorly structured. This
review attempts to deliver a structured account on the principles and applications of rukhsoh
in medical issues related to practical acts of worship. This review comprises two parts of
discussion. The first section begins with a general discussion of rukhsoh i.e. concept of
rukhsoh in Islamic jurisprudence followed with a discussion on the types of rukhsoh and their
determining factors. The general principles in applying the concept of rukhsoh in ibaadah and
daily life will also be outlined and discussed. The second part delves into specific discussions,
which focus on selected common practical issues, which necessitates the application of
rukhsoh. The discussions will revolve around the specific medical conditions, which
jeopardise patients ability to conduct their act of worship and how the rukhsoh would come
into place.

Keywords: Rukhsoh, Islamic jurisprudence, medical practice.

Introduction
Islam is a religion of ease where the basics are simple to understand. It is a practical religion
with forms of worship that are relatively easy to perform regardless of intellectual
capabilities. One of the features of this beautiful religion is that its rulings are not contrary to
human nature. There are various Qurnic verses mentioning the concept of ease in practising
Islam. Allah says:
Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship [2:185]
It is also related from Abu Hurairah that the prophet (PBUH) said, The deen is ease, whoever
makes the deen too hard for himself will be overpowered, so direct yourselves to what is
right, follow the middle course, accept the good news for the reward of the good action, seek
help [to reach your goal through constant worship] in the morning, evening and some of the
night. (Al Bukhari: 39). In a commentary of this hadith by Ibn Abi Jamrah, he highlighted
that the word ease in this hadith could refer to the fact that Islam only obligates its followers
that which is within their capacity to perform. Muslims are only charged with obligations for
which they are intellectually and physically capable to perform. Moreover, certain unlawful
things have been made lawful in times of necessity. This fact demonstrates that Islam upholds
the notion of avoiding hardship whilst promoting ease to its followers. Imam Bukhari
dedicated a chapter called The chapter of the religion being easy in his famous collection of
authentic hadiths where he lists relevant hadiths to support this feature of Islam.
1
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia,
Kuantan, MALAYSIA.
2
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia,
Kuantan, MALAYSIA.
3
Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic
University Malaysia, Kuantan, MALAYSIA.
4
Department of Paediatric, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan,
MALAYSIA.

57
 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

This concept of ease is further discussed by Muslim jurists in Islamic jurisprudence

under the theme of flexible rules. There are different forms of flexible rules in Islamic
jurisprudence including dharurah (the rule of necessity) and rukhsoh (concessionary law).
These two terms have been used interchangeably. Dharura and rukhsoh rules are closely
related, as both aim to remove difficulties from the concerned Muslims. However, there are
differences between these two concepts whereby some jurists stipulated the rule of rukhsoh is
mubah (indifferent) wherby no obligation is imposed1. This would mean that in a rukhsoh
case, a Muslim could either adhere to the azimah (original rule) or choose the rukhsoh.
According to some, rukhsoh can be applied to eliminate difficulties that are not severe or the
necessity is not urgent. This concept of rukhsoh encompasses all cases of need or necessity2.
In this review, we concentrate on the concept of rukhsoh, as its broad definition would allow
for a wider application in current medical practice.

The concept and type of rukhsoh in Islamic jurisprudence

Linguistically, rukhsoh is an Arabic word that means relaxation and facility3. In literature on
Islamic jurisprudence, rukhsoh has been defined as matters that are originally prohibited that
are made lawful to ease hardship despite a legal proof indicating its prohibition4. A more
comprehensive and precise definition of rukhsoh is provided by al-Mutairi in his thesis, that
Ruhksoh is rules that have been facilitated for competent people (mukallafin) who have valid
excuse but which remain unlawful for those who have no such excuse, and matters whose
non-performance has been allowed when normally they would be obligatory without the
existence of a valid excuse.5

Type of rukhsoh
The scholars have divided ruhksoh into different types based on different classifications.
Among those various classifications, the classification according to its cause is considered the
most appropriate in defining the basis of rukhsoh and more encompassing of its branches,
thus making it more relevant for the physicians and scientist alike6. Based on this
classification, Sheikh Ahmad Azzu has listed several different types of rukhsoh as
summarised below:
1. Rukhsah caused by absolute necessity (Dharurah): a situation, which compels the use
of a forbidden thing in order to preserve the fundamental, needs of human beings and
is highly necessary even if that leads to committing forbidden things or leaving a
compulsory duty.
2. Rukhsah caused by needs (Hajah): the kind of need which necessitates lessening and
simplification and general relief for all Muslims or some of them, in order to attain
their goals and preserve their benefits, on condition that the need does not reach the
level of dharurah, which are of two kinds:
a. General Need e.g. permission to look at a woman for purposed of marriage or
medical treatment and other like cases.

1
Abu Ishaq Ibrahim bin Musa al-Shatibi, al-Muwafaqat fi Usul-Ahkam, Beirut:Dar al Fikr , 1990, Vol. I, pp.
210-215.
2
Yasmin Hanani Mohd Safian, Necessity (Darura) in Islamic Law (PhD Thesis), Exeter, University of Exeter,
2010, pp. 68-69.
3
Ibn Manzr, Ab al-Fadl Jamal al-Din Muhammad b. Mukkarram al-Ansari Lisan al-'Arab., (Egypt: Cairo,
1300 A. H. ).
4
Mansour Z.Al-Mutairi, Necessity in Islamic Law, 1997, pp 243.
5
Ibid.
6
Sheikh Ahmad Azzu Inayah Ad Dimasyqi, Ar Rukhasul Fiqhiyyah Fi Dhaui al-Kitab Wa Sunnah, Dar al
Kutb, 2003, 43.

58
 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

b. Specific Need e.g. permission for transgression against others by beating and
scolding for a father, a husband, and guardian.
3. Rukhsah caused by journeys: including breaking the fast, wiping over the khuff
(socks), missing Jumaah, Eid, congregational prayers, Tayammum, etc.
4. Rukhsah caused by forgetfulness: including speaking in Salat, eating or drinking
forgetfully during fasting, permissibility of eating the meat slaughtered without
invoking the Name of Allah, forgetfully, etc.
5. Rukhsah caused by ignorance: including ignorance about food or drinks being impure,
killing a Muslim in the ranks of the unbelievers, a judge relying upon fake witnesses in
his judgement, etc.
6. Rukhsah caused by compulsion: including being compelled to destroy another
persons property or to take wine or stealing etc.
7. Rukhsah caused by defects, such as
a. Shortage of money leading to waiving of Zakat, Hajj, Jihad etc.
b. Bodily Defect: including
i. Sickness that permits tayammum, Shortening and combining prayers, exposing
the Aurah for a physician, etc.
ii. Lunacy: which leads to waiving of Salat, fasting, and Hajj, nullifies contracts
entered by the person, and waives any physical punishments, etc.
iii. Childhood: which waives any compulsory religious duties, permits him to enter
a gathering of women, is not punished by qisas even if he kills, etc.
8. Rukhsah caused by a frequently occurring situation (Umum al Balwa), which is almost
impossible to avoid such as the prohibition of cutting the grass of Mecca except Izkhir
(palm leaves), and permission to sprinkle water on a cloth when a baby-boy urinates
before it has started eating1.
From the lists above, the rukhsoh caused by dharurah, hajah, and defects are the types that
are more relevant to issues in medical practice. This will be discussed in greater detail in
section 5.0.

General Principles/Guidelines in applying the rukhsoh

Although certain schoalrs encourage the application of rukhsah based on evidence from
Hadith, its application is bound by certain guidelines which must be observed. Firstly, the
existence of the difficulty which compels the move to rukhsoh, which is something that varies
from one person to another. In general, the difficulty which compels resorting to rukhsoh is an
extraordinary difficulty, not a common difficulty associated with compulsory duties.
Secondly, the rukhsoh is within the permissible scope of Islamic law, such as a person being
on a journey not aimed at disobedience to Allah, like going for Jihad or Hajj or seeking
knowledge and lawful business. However, if he were on a sinful journey such as highway
robbery or unlawful trade like selling wine, then he should not apply the rukhsoh according to
the majority of the scholars.
Apart from that, the reason for the application of the rukhsoh must be certain or close
to certain, not doubtful, because rules are not based on doubts. The reason for the application
of the rukhsoh has already occurred rather than expected to occur, so a woman who normally
observes her menses on a particular day and hence decided not to fast on that day, is
considered wrong because the actual cause that would allow rukhsoh has not yet taken place.
According to some scholars, the application of rukhsoh should be limited within the point
covered by the Nass (legal text) but there is some degree of disagreement among the scholars
on this principle. Those scholars that support this view proposed that any practice of rukhsoh
1
Sheikh Ahmad Azzu Inayah Ad Dimashqi, Ar Rukhasul Fiqhiyyah Fi Dhaui al-Kitab Wa Sunnah, Dar al-
Kutb, 2003, 43-57.

59
 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

must have a legal proof (daleel) supporting it from among the four basic proofs, not just the
mere existence of an excuse.
Besides, the person applying the rukhsoh must be fully aware of its pre-conditions and
limitations as defined by the jurists, and should restrict himself to them. It is also not allowed
for a compelled person to apply rukhsoh unless he is particularly compelled to do so, i.e. he
does not find any other alternative means of saving himself from the harm, and he firmly
believes that doing so will save him from the impending destruction. It is not permissible to
pervasively seek after the rukhsoh i.e. to take from each mazhab whatever is permissible
based on lust and jest, as this is a form of following ones desires forbidden by Allah.
Otherwise, forbidden optional actions of the heart do not come under rukhsoh at any instance,
such as kufr (disbelief) of the heart under duress, or not detesting an evil act in the heart when
one is unable to remove it with his hands1.

Application of Rukhsoh in Medical Practice

The following discussions will explore the application of relevant principle of rukhsoh on
specific medical issues and practices. This is because each medical related issue tends to be
unique and depend on various factors, which need to be taken into consideration. Therefore,
the combination of the theoretical guidelines and specific medical issues is inevitable in order
to provide an adequate understanding of the complex issues of rukhsoh in medical practice.
These are few examples of medical issues that directly affecte Muslims daily obligations
causing misunderstanding among Muslims. There are several reasons for such
misunderstanding such as the insufficiency of the available information to provide adequate
understanding. Other than that, the research is still ongoing in certain contemporary medical
issues thus making it difficult for scholars to form an established Islamic view or ruling.
Furthermore, inadequate and inefficient communication between contemporary Muslim
scholars and medical practitioners has lead to immature and poor views and guidelines from
both parties that further complicate and confuse the public.
1.1) Rukhsoh in purity and cleanliness (taharah)
The issue of maintaining purity and cleanliness is the most common obstacle encountered by
a sick person that restrict him/her from performing his/her routine practice of worship. This
issue could be regarded as a fundamental issue and has been widely discussed in Islamic
classical and modern literature. While the issue mainly affects patients, the treating doctors
also need to be equipped with a clear and precise understanding, including kknowlegde of the
supporting and opposing view in order to properly counsel and guide their patient.
Principally, a sick person is not completely exempted from keeping his body and clothes as
clean as possible and perform other acts of cleanliness as mentioned in the hadith:
There are ten qualities of fitrah: trimming the moustache, sparing the beard,
siwak (brushing the teeth), rinsing the mouth and inhaling water (to clean the
nose), clipping the nails, washing the finger knuckles, plucking the armpit hair,
shaving the pubic hair, washing the private part with water, and
circumcision. (Muslim, Abu Dawud and others).
A genuinely sick or disabled person should at his best capacity attempt to remove all najasah
from his body and clothes. Whenever necessary, he or she should be aided by those who nurse
him. However, if some najasah cannot be removed after the necessary measures have already
being taken, he should proceed to perform other acts of worship that would otherwise require
him to be in the state of cleanliness. The patient is considered qualified for a rukhsoh due to
the sickness which associated with reasonable hardship to achieve the level of cleanliness
commonly expected of a healthy person. Thus, he is exempted from the general rule of

1
Ibid, 67-70.

60
 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

cleanliness that could cause him a debilitating difficulty and prevent him from performing
related worship such as prayer. The severity of a sick or disabled patient could range from
complete inability to perform the wudhu (ablution) or ghusl due to certain conditions like
quadriplegia (paralysis of four limbs), or partial inability due to the presence of a cast or
wound dressing (jabirah) that covering a part of the injured region of the body that needs to
be washed for wudhu or ghusl. We will focus on two common surgical and orthopaedic
conditions that lead to partial inability to completely perform wudhu and ghusl. The first
condition is the surgical wound or fracture that require the affected region to be covered with
cast or splint or wound dressing. All these three terms would has certain differences but could
all be categorised under jabirah. There is disagreement between the scholars whether to
manage like a khuf i.e. wiped over the covered surface or be ignored and not included in the
washing process. The second opinion seems to be the stronger opinion and is supported by
both authentic evidences and some prominent scholars like Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-
Albani (rahimahullah). Sheikh al-Albani mentioned that not all hadiths that relate the rulings
of wiping over the jabirah are extremely weak thus could be accepted as a valid opinion1.
Sheikh al-Albani further quoted the word of Ibnu Hazm in his book, Tamam ul Minnah:
by the texts of the Quran and Sunnah, anything that a person cannot do is
waived for him. The opinion that require him a substitute for it would be a
legislation, and a legislation may only be imposed by the Quran or Sunnah.
There is no text in the Quran or Sunnah requiring substituting wiping on
jabirah for the parts that cannot be washed. Therefore, this opinion is invalid.
The opinion of not wiping over jabirah but rather washing whatever accessible is also more in
harmony with the spirit of rukhsoh due to the illness and would facilitate the affected patient
to perform wudhu and ghusl without significant hardship or damaging the jabirah. Moreover,
in the management of a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including fracture, the
jabirah is usually made from plaster of paris or fibreglass which need to be kept dry at all
times in order to maintain the immobilization of the injured parts2. Any contact with water
could jeopardise the integrity of the cast which originally being moulds to immobilize the
affected part in order to hasten the healing process. In the case of surgical wound as a result of
surgical procedure or injury, the wound cover are usually comprise of bandage (a woven
cotton or synthetic material) and a more specialized inner dressing materials like adhesive
film, alginate etc. depending on the nature and the thickness of the wound. A wiping over the
wound dressing could predispose to contaminations thus halt the healing process of the
wound. We believe this chosen opinion i.e. not wiping over the jabirah, would ease the
affected patients to achieve the state of cleanliness and subsequently allow them to proceed to
perform another act of worship like the five times daily prayer without having to face
significant difficulty. This would then prevent the common problem of abandoning five times
daily prayer among the patient as a common excuse given is their failure to achieve the state
of cleanliness i.e. failure to perform wudhu or ghusl as adequately in accordance to the
classical understanding of fiqh which not necessarily based on authentic and valid evidences3.
The second condition commonly affecting the patients ability to achieve the state of
cleanliness is the creation of abdominal stoma due to surgical conditions like colorectal
cancer or other diseases like diverticulitis and ileus. Stoma is an artificially created hole in the
abdomen that directly connected the large intestine to the external bag in order to allow the
faeces to leave and become collected in the bag. The patients with stoma experience

1
Sheikh M. Nasiruddin al-Albani, Tamam ul Minnah, 133-135.
2
Annes et al., Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods, Am Fam Physician. 2009 Sep 1;80(5):491-499.
3
Based on unpublished observation of all authors throughout our many years of experiences in clinical setting in
various government hospitals. A detail survey regarding this matter will be carried out in few selected hospitals
soon, insya Allah.

61
 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

difficulties to perform their religious duties, particularly to perform wudhu, ghusl and prayer
which resulting in involuntary abandonment of prayers and spiritual discomfort1. One of the
reasons which lead to the abandonment prayer is the belief that their prayer will not be
accepted due to uncontrolled faecal flow2. A study by Herek indicated that patients tend to
refrain from performing religious duties probably due to inability to obtain sufficient
information including religious views i.e. rukhsoh which exempt them from performing
certain compulsory due to the inevitable obstacles3 such as the opinion which allows them to
ignore the area of stoma during their ghusl or they could resort to perform tayammum instead
of washing their body with water.
Nevertheless, we acknowledge the validity of other scholarly arguments which differ
with our chosen opinion i.e. of ignoring or leaving the injured area which covered by certain
materials instead of wiping with water as above and this require further discussion and
healthy debate from both scholars and medical practitioner in order to reach to a well
supported consensus.
1.2) Rukhsoh in treating the opposite sex
The issue of treating the patients of opposite sex is another debatable issue that has been
widely discussed in the Islamic literature and till today created heated arguments among
Muslims. While there are some scholars against the examinations of patients by members of
the opposite sex, the majority consider it permissible in situations of necessity where no
individuals from the same sex are available to give the same level of care i.e. in terms of
expertise and energy. This is based on the practice of female companions who treated
wounded men in the battle with the Prophet (PBUH), as reported by Ar Rabi Bint
Muawwath:
We (women) used to go for fighting with the prophet (PBUH). We would
give water to the army, serve them, and bring them back the wounded and dead
to Madinah. (Bukhari, Ahmad and others)
Depending on the severity of the diseases suffered by the patients, the permission to treat a
member of the opposite sex could be categorised under rukhsoh due to absolute necessity,
general need or medical diseases which lifted the prohibition of intermingling, touching and
staring between members of two sexes. However, the permission is within the limits of
necessity and should not be abused or extended beyond that4. The Islamic Fiqh Consortium
decided that the individuals treating female must be following the priority list where the
doctor should first be a Muslim female, followed by a non-Muslim female, then a trustworthy
Muslim male doctor and finally a non-Muslim doctor, depending on the availability5.
Additionally, there should be a presence of a mahram or trustworthy women to prevent the
khulwah. Otherwise, the women patient should not go to the next category before exhausting
the possibilities of the first category i.e. Muslim female doctor. However, on the occasion that
the female or male patient request to be examined by a doctor of the same sex, we should
attempt to fulfil their request to respect their personal preference and cater for their
psychological comfort, as long as it does not jeopardise the treatment process. For instance, in
our local clinical setting, we may be able to entertain the request of female patients suffering
from breast cancer to be managed by female surgeons as this type of case tends to be
presented as non-emergency situation. However, we may struggle to fulfil the demand of

1
Herek et al., (2003) The effect on the worship of the stoma. Stoma Journal. 1:22-24.
2
Cavdar, The efficiency of patient education in providing adaptation to colostomy in patients with colostomy,
unpublished doctoral dissertation, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey (1999).
3
Herek et al., (2003) The effect on the worship of the stoma. Stoma Journal. 1:22-24.
4
Al-Fatawa Shariyyah Fi-Masail At-Tibbiyyah (1997), Abdullah Jibreen, Dar as SumayI, Riyadh, 82.
5
Decisions of the Islamic Fiqh Consortium of Makkah, Majallat Majma il-Fiqh il-Islami, vol.2, part 1, 327
&335, 1986.

62
 Revelation and Science in the 21st Century

management by female obstetrician only in the life and death situation involving patient with
pre-eclampsia or post-partum haemorrhage. In this emergency, the preservation of the
patients life is considered the top priority in accordance with the shariah where the priority
should be given to fighting a harm, which threatens safety of the of the five essentials: faith,
life, intellect, property and lineage.
The above discussions on two scenarios have given a clear picture on how rukhsoh
come into place and the validity of choosing the originally prohibited actions when one finds
it advantageous to the healing process or treatment procedure. The application of the above
rukhsoh is strictly allowed as long as the criteria are met. This concept demonstrated the
practicality of Islam as religion that appeal to our human nature both in a healthy and diseased
state. Finally, the higher value of rukhsoh in medical practice is to preserve both humans
physical and spiritual health by avoiding conflict between adherence to the shariah rules and
treatment plan.

References
1. Abu Ishaq Ibrahim bin Musa al-Shatibi, al-Muwafaqat fi Usul-Ahkam, Beirut: Dar al
Fikr, 1990, Vol. I.
2. Al-Fatawa Shariyyah Fi-Masail At-Tibbiyyah, Abdullah Jibreen, Dar as SumayI,
Riyadh, 1997.
3. Annes et al, (2009) Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods, Am Fam Physician. 1:
80 (5):491-499.
4. Cavdar, The efficiency of patient education in providing adaptation to colostomy in
patients with colostomy, unpublished doctoral dissertation, Istanbul University,
Istanbul, Turkey (1999).
5. Decisions of the Islamic Fiqh Consortium of Makkah, Majallat Majma il-Fiqh il-
Islami, vol. 2, part 1, 1986
6. Herek et al., (2003). The effect on the worship of the stoma. Stoma Journal. 1:22-24
7. Ibn Manzr, Ab al-Fadl Jamal al-Din Muhammad b. Mukkarram al-Ansari Lisan al-
'Arab., (Egypt: Cairo, 1300 A. H.
8. Mansour Z.Al-Mutairi, Necessity in Islamic Law, (PhD Thesis) 1997.
9. Sheikh Ahmad Azzu Inayah Ad Dimasyqi, Ar Rukhasul Fiqhiyyah Fi Dhaui Al Kitab
Wa Sunnah, Dar al Kutb, 2003.
10. Sheikh M. Nasiruddin al-Albani, Tamam ul Minnah, pp 133-135
11. Yasmin Hanani Mohd Safian, Necessity (Darura) in Islamic Law (PhD Thesis),
Exeter, University of Exeter, 2010)

63
 SYNOPSIS

The Revelation (the Quran and Sunnah) and the Creation (al-kawn) are both sources for man to
identify, understand, and confirm the Message of Allah, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Cherisher,
the Provider, the Controller of the universe. The Revelation is accurately available in words; and the
Creation exists in precise form. There is no conflict between the Revelation and the Creation; they
are both rather complementary to each other. There should not be even an iota of doubt that the
Quran and Sunnah invite man to read the Nature with a view to developing science which in turn
must reconfirm the authenticity and sanctity of the Message handed over to man through the Last
Prophet (s.a.w.) in the form of Revelation. Research papers included in this volume represent
respective authors sincere and serious endeavor to show the relevance of both Message in the
revelation and that in the Creation to human life in its multi-faceted form.

Dr. Esam Eltigani

Chief Editor & Conference Direcor (ICQS2),
Department of Qurand and Sunnah Studies,
Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed knowledge and Human Sciences,
International Islamic University Malaysia

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