The followers of the Islamic religion are called Muslims. Mecca, near the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia, is the religious centre for Muslims and a place of pilgrimage. The holy book for the Muslims is the Holy Qur’an

There are four chief religious duties for a Muslim:

• Prayer five times a day facing Mecca (South-East) with ritual washing beforehand
• Alms giving
• Fasting
• A pilgrimage to Mecca once in life 

Islamic men will avoid shaking hands with women.

Special occasions

There are many Muslim festivals, all calculated by the lunar calendar. Ask the patient or family if any important occasions for their faith occur during their stay in hospital. The most important is the month of Ramadan during which Muslims practice self-discipline in order to achieve tolerance, love, sacrifice and equality.

Hygiene / Cleanliness

Muslims attach great importance to this. Hands, feet and mouth are always washed before prayer.

Women are required to wash their whole body after menstruation. Running water is necessary for washing.

Muslims are accustomed to having water in the same room as the toilet. If a bedpan is used then a jug/container of water should be provided for washing.

Diet

Muslims cannot eat any product from pigs. Other meat can be eaten but it has to be HALAL meat, i.e. killed in a special manner stated in Islamic law. Fish and eggs are allowed but not if they are cooked near pork or non-halal food. Nurses should discuss dietary requirements with a Muslim patient.

Alcohol is prohibited.

Fasting

During the month of Ramadan a Muslim fasts between sunrise and sunset. Those who are sick are not expected to fast. If however a patient wishes to do so, food should be made available before sunrise and after sunset. Essential drugs and medicines can be administered during Ramadan.

Family Planning

Contraception - no specific ruling - but is disapproved of by custom.

Abortion is frowned upon, but is often tolerated if it is for medical reasons.

Birth

Some women may refuse to be examined internally before giving birth. When a Muslim child is born it is required that as soon as possible a member of the family recites in the baby's ear a short prayer.

A male Muslim child is also required to be circumcised as soon as possible. In Wiltshire this procedure is available on the NHS.

Care of the Dying

The dying Muslim may wish to sit or lie with his face towards Mecca. Moving the bed to make this possible will be appreciated.

The family may recite prayers around the bed. If no family are available, any practising Muslim can help.

The patient may wish the Imam (religious leader) to visit.

Death

After death the body should not be touched by non-Muslims. Health workers who need to touch the body should wear disposable gloves.

The body should be prepared according to the wishes of the family. If no family are available, the following procedure should be followed:

• Turn the head towards the right shoulder before rigor mortis begins. This is so that the body can be buried with the face towards Mecca.
• Do not wash the body, nor cut hair or nails.
• Wrap the body in a white sheet without religious emblem.

The body will be ritually washed by the family and Muslim undertakers before burial.

Muslim funerals take place as soon as practicable, delay can cause distress. If a delay is unavoidable explain the reasons carefully to the relatives.

If the death has to be reported to the coroner he should be informed that the patient was a Muslim and be asked if the procedures can take place as soon as possible.

If the family wish to view the body, staff should ask the mortician/porter to remove the Christian cross from the viewing room.

Muslims are always buried, never cremated.

Post Mortem, Organ Transplantation

Post mortems are forbidden unless ordered by the coroner, in which case the reasons for it must be clearly explained to the family.

The family of the deceased may request that an Iman (religious leader) be present during the Post Mortem. In this instance time must be allowed for the Iman to arrive before commencing the Post Mortem.

The family may request that any organs removed should be returned to the body after examination.

Strict Muslims will not agree to organ transplants.