Where is it from?

The profession of doctors have been viewed as a noble one. Asked any first year medical student, for the reasons of choosing this line of study, almost all would answer, " ...to help people" or along that line. Therefore, it is up to the medical practitioner to uphold the sanctity of the the profession. Humility in the profession, will eventually be given 'pahala" or reward in this world or thereafter.

Doctors are bound to medical ethics. Without this codes of ethics, the system is exposed to risk of abuse. Risks may outweigh the benefits. Patients will suffer and be treated unjustly. When this happens, doctors too will be part of the blame. Humanity is jeopardised.

We know that thieves and robbers earn their income through unjust ways, which is stealing from other people. No matter if the rich steals from the poor or the poor steals from the rich, the main issue remains, stealing. The source of income is therefore illegal as it is derived from robbery, which is wrong. In the Islamic perspective, it is forbidden, or haram.

Doctors earns their income through the practice of medicine. Can the income be haram in the case of doctors? Yes it can when the doctors commit something illegal or forbidden in the practice of medicine. How is is illegal when the main purpose of practicing medicine, as heralded by first year medical student is to "...help others", one may ask? This is when medical ethics is breached. For example, conducting abortion which is not justified by any compelling reasons, supplying codeine or dextromethorphan containing cough syrup to abusers, and the list goes on. Even charging unnecessary medicine to patients that results in poly pharmacy can be a source for forbidden income.

As one of the speakers mentioned this morning over the radio, one who accumulate wealth illegally and forbidden in the face of the religion, will not lead a blessed (rahmat) life. They are bound to ripples of turmoil and vacuums even if they seem to be blissful in the outset.

So, where does your income comes from?