Introduction

This chapter addresses this knowledge gap by providing an overview of the growing role of Islam within the biomedical research ethics discourse. It outlines key Islamic ethico-legal theory pertinent for readers keen to know how Islam may inform bioethical discussions as well as providing an essential methodological backdrop. So, by studying Muslim behaviour, practices and views, and the use of scripture, law and scholarly edicts in the context of specific ethical issues, we can derive an understanding of normative Islam and its influence on biomedical research ethics. The chapter briefly presents a history of Islam, its normative sources and an outline of the theory underlying Islamic ethics that will be relevant for subsequent chapters. It presents the research question and articulated six distinct but interrelated research objectives. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.