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HIV/AIDS Information for Muslims

 

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that is carried in some bodily fluids, and slowly weakens the immune system over time. As the immune system weakens the person has difficulty fighting off those pathogens that a normal immune system is able to control. Eventually, the person may develop AIDS ( Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), where their immune system is so compromised that medical intervention is usually needed to prevent and control serious illness, and even death (AIDS.org 2014b). The time it takes to develop AIDS after acquiring HIV is currently approximately 8-11 years (AIDS.org 2014a).

 

Sadly many people with HIV/AIDS are treated badly by others. This is generally for two reasons - fear of contracting the disease resultant of ignorance as to how it is transmitted, and from judging the person to have HIV/AIDS. As Muslims it is our duty to be compassionate and caring to all suffering from illness, regardless of how it was contracted or the person's lifestyle. As Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said in relation to all Muslims needing to show concern for those who are sick and share their suffering, “The example of believers is in their affection, mercy among themselves is like one body; when a part of this body complains, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever” (Al Bukhari and Muslim). To avoid, shun or exclude a person is entirely against Islam as the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) instructed that "Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim", one of which is to visit the sick (Al Bukhari and Muslim); and that "It is not permitted for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three (days); whoever does this and dies, he will enter Hell" (Reported by Abu Dawud, 5/215).

 

How a person can get HIV/AIDS

A person can contract HIV (the virus that leads to AIDS) in many ways. A woman may pass the virus to an unborn child during pregnancy, to the baby during child birth or through breast milk. Persons in certain professions can be exposed through their work, such as doctors. HIV may also be contracted during sexual contact (not only sexual intercourse) with a consenting partner (including a spouse), through rape or sexual assault. The virus can also be transmitted through contaminated medical equipment such as syringes or needles (not only from drug use but also reuse in piercings, tattooing, injections and other medical procedures) and blood/organ transfusions (although this is very rare and more common in countries with poorer hygiene and contamination constraints and regulations). Some people have contracted HIV through accidental contact with a contaminated needle left in a public place. It is also possible to contract HIV through contact of contaminated blood onto broken skin, an open wound, or a mucous membrane (soft and moist areas just inside openings to the body eg the mouth, vagina and anus) (AIDS.gov 2014). More detailed information can be found 

 

How you cannot get HIV/AIDS

Many people fear those with HIV/AIDS and shun, exclude or avoid them, a behaviour which is entirely against Islamic teachings (please see the evidence in paragraph 2 above). A lot of this fear comes from incorrect ideas of how one can contract HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). You cannot get HIV through any of these means:

  • Air or water

  • Insects, including mosquitoes and ticks

  • Saliva, tears or sweat

  • Plain bodily contact eg shaking hands, hugging

  • Sharing dishes/cups

  • Toilet seats

  • Drinking fountains/bubblers

 

Who has HIV/AIDS

An estimated 390 000 children, 3 400 000 women and 4 310 000 men across the globe have HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS 2013). This includes people of all faiths, races, backgrounds and lifestyles. A person's having HIV/AIDS does not tell you anything about their lifestyle or background.

 

 

References

AIDS.gov 2014, How do you get HIV or AIDS?, Aids.gov, USA, viewed 15 August 2014, <http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/>

AIDS.org 2014a, How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?, AIDS.org, n.p., viewed 16 August 2014, <http://www.aids.org/topics/aids-faqs/how-long-hiv-cause-aids/>

AIDS.org 2014b, What is AIDS? What causes AIDS?, AIDS.org, n.p., viewed 16 August 2014, <http://www.aids.org/topics/aids-faqs/what-is-aids-what-causes-aids/>

UNAIDS 2013, HIV estimates with uncertainty bounds, UNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland, viewed 15 August 2014, <http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis/knowyourepidemic/>

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