In an age where scientific discoveries are rapidly accelerating and the boundaries between biology and artificial intelligence are increasingly intertwined, the urgent need arises for institutions that unite the jurisprudential intellect with medical insight. Institutions that serve as a bridge between the objectives of Islamic law and the ever-evolving developments of our time. Among such pioneering institutions, the Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences (IOMS) stands out—launched from Kuwait, built upon the foundation of scholarly ijtihad, and unwavering in its mission to serve the Ummah.
Established by Amiri Decree, Guided by a Vision Beyond Geography
The Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences was established in the State of Kuwait in 1984 by decree of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. It became the first scientific body dedicated to grounding the relationship between medicine and Sharia, bringing together scholars and physicians under the banner of collective ijtihad.
The organisation is currently chaired by His Excellency Professor Dr Mohammed Al-Jarallah, former Kuwaiti Minister of Health. The role of Secretary-General is held by Professor Dr Abdel Latif Al-Murr, a distinguished figure in public health and preventive medicine, who has elevated the organisation’s academic and international standing.
Building Bridges Between Disciplines: Where the Jurist Meets the Doctor
From its inception, the organisation has adopted a precise scientific approach, hosting major international conferences that gather elite scholars, jurists, doctors, and researchers from across the Islamic world. These conferences serve to address the most pressing medical issues from both an Islamic legal and scientific perspective.
These were not merely theoretical symposia; rather, they produced peer-reviewed scientific documents and final statements endorsed by senior scholars. These outcomes have contributed to the formulation of contemporary jurisprudential principles in highly complex matters such as:
- Organ transplantation
- Cloning
- Genetic fingerprinting
- Artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment
- Genome editing
- Ethics in modern medical practice
Enlightening the Path for Juristic Councils
The organisation has never sought to replace the juristic councils but has always acted as a trustworthy and scholarly supporter. It provides them with rigorous scientific material, helps reconcile different expert viewpoints, and assists in crafting informed collective fatwas.
It has actively participated in conferences of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League, and other specialised juristic bodies in various countries. It has left a notable mark on several major jurisprudential recommendations.
Towards a Series of Investigative Articles
With this introductory article, we begin a series that shines a spotlight on the invaluable work of this esteemed organisation. We will explore its most significant conferences and official statements, accompanied by scholarly and jurisprudential analysis of each document—beginning with:
- The International Conference on Genetic Fingerprinting and Genome Editing in Light of Islamic Sharia (Kuwait, May 2025)
- The Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Medical Ethics
- Previous conferences on abortion, cloning, and organ-based treatments
These are not merely academic events; they are milestones in the history of contemporary collective ijtihad. They help shape the jurisprudence of the future, reaffirm the role of science in serving religion, and the role of Sharia in guiding science.
In a time where questions evolve and pathways diverge, the Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences remains a living testament to the fact that when knowledge is tied to faith, it becomes a mercy—and when it is illuminated by insight, it becomes guidance.
Sh. Prof Faid Mohammed Said
