The Sharia Status of hunger strike A research review

بھوك ہڑتال كى شرعى حىثىت اىك تحقىقى جائزہ

Abstract

Sharia does not prohibit human beings from meals because life is an asset and Islam strictly forbids suicide. Religion emphasizes on eating healthy food for the survival and protection of the body.  There should be no interference in the achievement of the goal for which human beings have been created. Hunger protest is not a recently developed concept but we have instances in the era of Prophet (PBUH). What changes occur in human body when someone is on hunger protest? Appetite causes erectile dysfunction, dehydration, week eyesight; frailty of organs, sloth etc. shunning meals for a longer period of time can cause death. Many renowned Islamic scholars claim that hunger protest is forbidden and we must restrain ourselves from observing it. There are various resources which equate hunger protest with suicide. A person should not be given funeral shower and funeral prayer should not be offered if s/he passes away because of hunger protest. Moreover, s/he should not be buried in the Muslim graveyard.

There are certain other opinions of the scholars regarding hunger protest who declare it legitimate. According to their stance, it is the last resort for the prisoners and for those who suffer at the hands of cruel people. So, hunger protest is legitimate if people get their demands approved by relatives or non-Muslims. There are certain circumstances where hunger protest remains the last escape but it should not be taken to the level where human beings are not merely unable to offer prayers and other obligations but ultimately die. It is considered a sin to commit suicide, the protection of one’s life is obligatory. All major religions and distinguished scholars allow eating prohibited food when someone’s life is in danger because of drought and famine. It is considered the second deadly sin after Shirk for Muslims to take their lives with dagger, poison, hunger etc. According to religious scholars, it is not harmful if someone restraints oneself from eating a specific meals because of any good reason for days or weeks.