On Saturday, 1 February 2025, a group of Ahmadi doctors, including surgeons, anaesthetists and general practitioners from the USA, Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries, had the blessed opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, at Islamabad (Tilford), UK.
After initial greetings, Huzooraa addressed the delegation’s lead, who explained that the group comprised 20 doctors from various nations, primarily specialising in surgery and anaesthesia. When Huzooraa asked about the purpose of their visit, the lead doctor replied that they wished to deepen their relationship with the Khalifa of the Time.
Huzooraa then spoke with each doctor individually. Several members shared their experiences of volunteering at the Tahir Heart Institute in Rabwah, Pakistan, with some already making regular visits and others planning to offer their services soon. One doctor noted that he had six months of further training left, after which he intended to dedicate his life to serving Islam and humanity as a fully qualified doctor.
Following these introductions, two of the doctors presented a report summarising the cases handled at the Tahir Heart Institute in 2024, detailing the number of surgeries performed, the involvement of doctors and the total number of patients treated.
After the report, the doctors sought permission to ask questions, which Huzooraa graciously granted.
Navigating end-of-life decisions in light of Islamic teachings
A doctor requested guidance on handling end-of-life situations, particularly where medical technology can artificially prolong life. He asked how doctors should broach this topic with families and when it would be permissible to discontinue life support.
Huzooraa explained that if a patient’s brain functioned sufficiently and they could breathe at around 50 or 60 per cent, then mechanical support like ventilators should be used to prolong life. However, once the body had entirely deteriorated, it would be permissible to withdraw such support. He stressed that such decisions require careful observation over a few days to ascertain whether the patient was fully brain-dead. If no possibility of recovery remained, continuing life support served no purpose.
He emphasised that family members should be consulted, though doctors can offer expert opinions. “You should then leave the matter to Allah,” Huzooraa said. The final decision lies with the family.
Inspiring young Ahmadis to choose medicine
Another doctor asked how to encourage and mentor Ahmadis – particularly youths – to consider careers in medicine.
Huzooraa responded that this responsibility belongs chiefly to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association, which should organise seminars, invite doctors to speak and provide counselling for students. The Talim Department of the Jamaat and Ahmadiyya Muslim Sutudents’ Associations at universities should also be engaged in guiding young Ahmadis about medicine.
He underscored the importance of targeting students in secondary school or even earlier, well before they commit to other fields like law, engineering, or computer science – the latter being increasingly popular in the age of artificial intelligence. Early engagement and structured career guidance can spark and nurture interest in the medical profession.
Huzooraa advised that the Medical Association should work closely with the Jamaat’s Talim Secretary to plan career counselling sessions, seminars and meetings. He reiterated that he had frequently called attention to this need, urging enough professionals within the Jamaat to assist aspiring students. “You must also have enough people who can effectively guide others,” Huzooraa said.
Ambition for high-impact research
A doctor mentioned Huzoor’saa statement about aiming for a Nobel Prize as a minimum goal for Ahmadi researchers, asking which areas of study might be most promising and how best to pursue them.
In response, Huzooraa advised that those aiming for such an achievement should first identify which fields within medicine are recognised as eligible for a Nobel Prize and then assess whether they have a genuine interest in those areas.
Huzooraa asked if the doctor had published any research papers. The doctor mentioned working on various aspects of cancer research and having five papers published in collaboration with senior colleagues. Huzooraa noted that merely refining existing studies does not constitute a major breakthrough; rather, introducing truly new discoveries is what can pave the way for the highest levels of recognition, such as a Nobel Prize. He prayed that Allah grant the Jamaat scientists of such calibre.
The connection between the heart and the brain
One doctor referenced Quranic verses suggesting that thoughts originate from the heart, whereas modern science ascribes them primarily to the brain. He asked for Huzoor’saa thoughts on reconciling these views.
Huzooraa explained that spiritually perceptive and experienced individuals often sense ideas in their hearts before they become fully processed in the brain. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra reasoned that because the heart pumps blood to the entire body, including the brain, it plays a fundamental part in transmitting signals. Thus, there may be a physiological or spiritual link where messages “pass” from the heart before reaching the brain. “To what extent does blood circulation contribute to transmitting a message to the body? You may research this and then shed light on it,” Huzooraa said.
He acknowledged that purely scientific methods might struggle to prove this, but those advanced in spirituality often experience it directly. Huzooraa said:
“At present, people say that the experience of spirituality cannot be explained in words. Yet it is as though something is felt in the heart, which sends a message to the brain, which then sends a message to the body. Afterwards, the person describes everything they have felt. Those who are truly immersed in spirituality can understand this. There are two ways to learn more about it – one is to carry out research and the other is to excel in spirituality oneself.”
Explaining miraculous healing to non-believers
Another attendee asked how to justify miraculous healing to those who do not believe, recalling a narration where the Holy Prophetsa placed his saliva on a wound, which then healed instantaneously.
Huzooraa noted that these accounts are found extensively throughout the blessed life of the Holy Prophetsa; he cured injuries through supplications, saliva, or physical touch. Hzuooraa said:
“Allah the Almighty placed blessings in his saliva, which acted like an ointment. [A doctor] will surely say that it must have been full of bacteria and that an infection would have occurred. However, Allah the Almighty has the power and instead of causing an infection, it is possible that certain properties were emitted that eliminated the infection.”
Huzooraa added that prayer can catalyse such wonders:
“Moreover, prayer plays a major role and can bring about miracles. Such miracles do take place. […] Miracles take place in the world. They still occur today. People often say that such and such an event happened, but we do not know how. Yet it happened thanks to prayer. We have absolute conviction in prayer. Sometimes it can occur without prayer and Allah grants someone health. Indeed, such cases occur. Only those who witness it personally can speak of it and if they say it took place, then it happened.”
Huzooraa also observed that, although the Holy Prophetsa held the loftiest status among all, historically, many revered figures have also demonstrated similar healing acts. Whether during the time of the Promised Messiahas or other holy individuals, instances have been recorded where they prayed over someone, placed their hands on them and witnessed their recovery without any medication. He pointed out that, at times, psychological conviction in healing can also contribute to positive outcomes.
Medicinal use of alcohol
One member asked about the Islamic ruling on alcohol, given that many modern medicines contain small amounts of it.
Huzooraa stated that the use of alcohol in medicine is permissible within certain limits for treatment. He explained that the Holy Quran prohibits certain substances, but in extreme circumstances, allowances are made – such as the permissibility of consuming otherwise forbidden food when a person is starving. [Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.174]
Similarly, if a critically ill patient requires medicine that contains a small amount of alcohol, its use is permitted. Huzooraa explained that this falls under the same Quranic principle of necessity [iztirar].
Alcohol use and mental health
Another doctor referred to Invitation to Ahmadiyyat [2022, UK, p. 117], noting that the book cites increased sudden deaths in the Latter Days due to rising alcohol consumption and excessive stress. He asked Huzoor’saa opinion on this.
Huzooraa observed that while alcohol was once considered harmless in moderation, recent research now warns that even a single drink can be detrimental. Studies have shown that alcohol weakens the nervous system, increasing vulnerability to stress, which can spiral into depression. As scientific understanding advances, it increasingly affirms the harms of alcohol.
He noted that stress often arises when the nerves are weakened, making individuals more susceptible to trivial worries. This can lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety and depression, which is particularly prevalent in materialistic societies.
Huzooraa emphasised that true peace of mind is found through the remembrance of Allah. [Surah ar-Ra‘d, Ch.13: V.29]
Surgery or general medicine?
A participant enquired whether specialisation in surgery or general medicine would be preferable, considering the broad scope of healthcare careers.
Huzooraa replied that both fields were valuable and one should choose according to personal aptitude and interest. Some medical students faint at the sight of blood, so surgery might not be practical for them. He humorously noted that such individuals could risk collapsing onto a patient during an operation, rendering them unfit for that discipline.
He advised each person to evaluate their strengths and limitations. If someone has an inclination towards surgery, that route may suit them; if someone else prefers medicine, they should pursue that. Both areas benefit humanity and offer significant opportunities for service.
Using animal organs for human transplants
Lastly, a doctor asked about transplanting animal organs into humans – particularly from pigs – and whether this complied with Islamic law.
Huzooraa stated that saving human life is the priority, meaning such procedures are permissible if they genuinely help preserve life. He likened it to the emergency consumption of prohibited foods when no alternative exists. [Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.174] Thus, if using a pig’s heart or any other animal organ can realistically save someone’s life, it becomes allowable. He concluded with a light-hearted remark, saying, “Otherwise, you can transplant a lion’s heart.”
Conclusion
As the session drew to a close, the group requested a photograph with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. He kindly permitted this and, following the photo, the mulaqat concluded.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)