Maqasid al-Shari’ah as a Complementary Framework for International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses: Malaysian Context

Abstract

Maqasid al-Shari’ah or the objectives of Islamic law and nursing share inherent intersections and sometimes work as integral subjects, the ultimate aim of which is “harm reduction” and “promotion of well-being” in life. The Maqasid al-Shari’ah provides values and principles of good conduct, while nursing achieves this aim through practical and hands-on healthcare services. In a country like Malaysia, where Muslims make up the majority of the population, Islam plays a crucial role in providing essential guidelines on the permissibility and acceptability of nursing services. The research uses an analytical method and presents a concise overview of Islamic nursing ethics, focusing on the applications of Maqasid al-Shari’ah in nursing services. Besides the literature review, the research highlights the primary contents and fields of both nursing and the objectives of Islamic law. The research identifies and analyses four principal elements that outline the standards of ethical conduct that the ICN Code of Ethics has stated for Nurses. The research then integrates the values of Maqasid al-Shari’ah in the ICN Code of Ethics to ensure in line with Islamic teaching. The discussion has integrated the element of preservation of religion in the ICN component of ‘nurses and patients or other people requiring services’, the element of preservation of life in the ICN component of ‘nurses and practice’ and ‘nurses and global health’, and finally, the element of preservation of dignity in the ICN component of nurses and profession’. For the future direction of this study, it is highly recommended to disseminate this knowledge and applying in nursing practices.