Determination of Death

Since the introduction of advanced medical technology, besides the traditional definition of death which occurred when the heart and lungs stopped functioning, some Muslim schools of thought (mainly Sunni* and some Shia* Muslims) have accepted brain death as a valid definition when the brain ceases to function and brain cells begin to die. As such, artificial means may be used to preserve the body long enough to remove viable organs that are to be donated according to the conditions stated below.

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*Sunni Muslims form the majority and differ with the Shia Muslims, a minority, in some matters of practice. They share the basic beliefs in God, the Prophet, the Koran, and the Final Day of Resurrection.