The Oath of a Muslim Doctor

Various principles and values stated in numerous oaths and declarations form the basis for ethical practices in health care. The Hippocratic Oath is but one of these many oaths and declarations that have been recited by entering and newly graduated physicians over the centuries. 

The Muslim physicians cannot restrict themselves to just the Western Medical ethics. They need to fulfil the Islamic ethical requirements too to harmonise their professional lives with the wider Islamic worldview. 

For this purpose, the First International Conference on Islamic Medicine held in Kuwait in January 1981 published the oath of Muslim doctor which says:

The Oath of a Muslim Doctor:                                                               

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise to Allah, the Sustainer of His Creation, the All-Knowing.
Glory to be Him, the Eternal, the All-Pervading.

"O Allah, Thou art the only Healer, I serve none but Thee, and, as the instrument  of Thy Will, I commit myself to Thee.
I render this Oath in Thy Holy Name and I Undertake:

To be the instrument of Thy Will and Mercy, and, in all humbleness, to exercise justice, love and compassion for all Thy Creation;

To extend my hand of service to one and all, to the rich and to the poor, to friend and foe alike, regardless of race, religion or color;

To hold human life as precious and sacred, and to protect and honor it at all times and under all circumstances in accordance with Thy Law;

To do my utmost to alleviate pain and misery and to comfort and counsel human beings in sickness and in anxiety;

To respect the confidence and guard the secrets of all my patients;
To maintain the dignity of healthcare, and to honor the teachers, students, and members of my profession;

To strive in the pursuit of knowledge in Thy name for the benefit of mankind and to uphold human honor and dignity;

To acquire the courage to admit my mistakes, mend my ways and to forgive the wrongs of others;

To be ever-conscious of my duty to Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), and to follow the precepts of Islam in private and in public.

O Allah grant me the strength, patience and dedication to adhere to this Oath at all times”.