Decision of the Council of Senior Scholars (Concerning Blood Banks)
(Decision No. 65, dated 7/2/1399 AH)

Praise belongs to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon His Messenger, his family, and his Companions.

At the third extraordinary session of the Council of Senior Scholars, held in Riyadh from 1/2/1399 AH to 6/2/1399 AH, the Council examined the letter of His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League addressed to His Eminence the General President of the Departments of Scholarly Research, Fatwa, Call, and Guidance, No. 7815 dated 28/8/98 AH. The letter conveyed a royal directive calling for appropriate action on the proposal submitted by Mr. Fatūḥ b. Sulaymān al-Najjār to establish an Islamic bank for preserving blood, so as to provide rapid aid to wounded Muslims, accept voluntary blood donations, and store large quantities for that purpose. After studying, discussing, and deliberating on the matter, the Council, by majority vote, resolved as follows:

First: A person may donate from his blood an amount that will not harm him when there is a need, in order to assist a Muslim who requires it.

Second: It is permissible to establish an Islamic blood bank to receive and store donated blood for the benefit of Muslims in need, provided that the bank neither charges patients or their guardians for the blood supplied nor turns this service into a commercial venture for profit, in view of the public interest thereby achieved for the Muslims.

Allah is the Grantor of success, and may Allah’s blessings be upon Muhammad.

Council of Senior Scholars