in order to avert the greater one, and on the principle of securing the public welfare, which allows a private harm to be borne so as to ward off a public harm when that is the only way to prevent it.

These cases are of two kinds:
– those in which disclosure removes a harm from society;
– and those in which disclosure removes a harm from the individual.

(b) Cases in which disclosure is permissible because it
– brings a benefit to society, or
– wards off a general harm.

In such instances, one must abide by the higher objectives of the Sharia and their order of priority: the preservation of religion, life, intellect, property, and lineage.

(c) The exceptions that render disclosure obligatory or permissible must be expressly and exhaustively stated in the statute regulating the practice of the medical professions and in other relevant regulations, with a detailed explanation of how the disclosure is to be made and to whom. The competent authorities are to educate the public about these provisions.

3 – The Academy recommends that medical associations, ministries of health, and colleges of health sciences include this topic in their curricula, give it due attention, raise the awareness of those working in the field, and design the necessary courses, making use of the research papers presented on the subject.

Allah knows best.