Blood donation in Islam

What does the Quran say about saving a life?

وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

Quran, Surah al-Ma'idah (5), verse 32

Meaning: whoever saves one life, it is as if they had saved all of humanity. The president of the local council of ulema of Skhirat-Temara quotes this verse about giving blood, because it saves lives.

Quran 5:32 · SNRT News, 2021

Is giving blood permitted?

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

Quran, Surah al-Ma'idah (5), verse 2

Yes. The president of the local council of ulema of Skhirat-Temara, told SNRT in 2021 that giving blood is a charity (sadaqa) that is rewarded. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta (fatwa 6292, 2003) holds it permitted, as cooperation in goodness and piety, under the supervision of doctors. Meaning of the verse: help one another in goodness and piety, not in sin and aggression.

SNRT News, 2021 · Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyya, fatwa 6292 (2003) · Quran 5:2

Is giving blood a charity?

كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ

Sahih al-Bukhari 6021, from Jabir ibn Abdullah; Sahih Muslim 1005

Meaning: every good deed is a charity. Giving blood is a good deed offered for nothing in return, without knowing who will receive it. Moroccan law 03-94 also says giving is voluntary and free.

Sahih al-Bukhari 6021 · Sahih Muslim 1005 · Loi 03-94 (SNRT News)

What is the reward for relieving someone's hardship?

مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ الدُّنْيَا نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ … وَاللَّهُ فِي عَوْنِ الْعَبْدِ مَا كَانَ الْعَبْدُ فِي عَوْنِ أَخِيهِ

Sahih Muslim 2699, from Abu Hurayrah

Meaning: whoever relieves a believer of a hardship of this world, God will relieve them of a hardship of the Day of Resurrection; and God helps His servant as long as the servant helps their brother. A patient waiting for blood, a family looking for a donor: that is a hardship, and every donation helps relieve it. Faraj means “relief”.

Sahih Muslim 2699

Can I give to a non-Muslim, or receive their blood?

فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ

Sahih al-Bukhari 2363, from Abu Hurayrah

لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ

Quran, Surah al-Mumtahanah (60), verse 8

In Morocco giving is anonymous: donors do not know who will receive their blood (law 03-94). The Prophet ﷺ said there is a reward for every living being, in the story of the man who gave water to a thirsty dog. And the verse invites kindness and justice towards those who have not fought us over religion.

Sahih al-Bukhari 2363 · Quran 60:8 · Loi 03-94 (SNRT News)

Does my faith ask me to give even when I am unwell?

وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوا ۛ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Quran, Surah al-Baqarah (2), verse 195

No. Doing good and looking after your health go together. Meaning of the verse: do not throw yourselves into ruin with your own hands, and do good. The doctor at the centre examines you before every donation and decides (decree 2-94-20).

Quran 2:195 · Décret 2-94-20

Which religious tradition does this page follow?

فِي عَقْدِ الأَشْعَرِي وَفِقْهِ مَالِكْ … وَفِي طَرِيقَةِ الجُنَيْدِ السَّالِكْ

Ibn Ashir, al-Murshid al-Mu'in

Morocco's: the Ash'ari creed, the Maliki school of law and the Sufism of al-Junayd, brought together by Ibn Ashir in al-Murshid al-Mu'in, under the Commandership of the Faithful (Imarat al-Mu'minin). The King, Commander of the Faithful, presides over the Supreme Council of Ulema (Constitution, article 41).

Oulemag, 2025 · Hespress, 2026