Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked:

Question:

“What is the ruling on using anesthetic in surgeries knowing that it includes an anesthetic?”

Answer:

“We mentioned that it is allowed to use to relieve the sick person from the pain of the surgery. This is not from treatment and drinking it or using it [which is done] for ecstasy nor joy. Also he awakes after a duration of time. He awakes. The person returns to his original state. He returns entirely. Yes. And he should be given a certain amount of it by the specialized doctors such that it is not given without measure or experience and it is administered by the doctor himself. And it is not used as a treatment nor for enjoyment”.

End. [Reference]

Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad (may Allah preserve him) was asked:

Question:

“[Regarding] using anesthetics for surgeries, what is the ruling for it?”

Answer:

“There is no harm in the likes of this because a necessity calls for it. It is not from the way of something that takes away the intellect and makes a person fall into haram. It is only something that makes easy the surgery that is done to his body. Because without it it would be painful, very painful. So using something that will bring a benefit and not a harm that is caused by intoxicants in terms of intoxication. So if a necessity calls for that and the people are in need and the person who is being operated upon will not know [what is performed on him] and not feel it, then no doubt this is a great benefit”. End. [Sharh Ibn Majah no. 241]

In terms of morphine, then the Permanent Committee of Saudi mentioned that it is allowed to use it for a patient if there is no drug available besides it and it does not lead to a greater harm.

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan