Analysis of Concept of "Benevolence" and its Application in Islamic Medical Ethics

Benevolence (ihsan) is a moral principles addressed in many Qur’anic verses and hadiths, emphasizing its importance. Adherence to this ethical principle, in addition to its useful individual and social effects, has many applications in the field of medicine. The present study tried to explain the applications of the principle of benevolence and interpret it alongside important principles of Islamic medical ethics.

This study used a descriptive-analytical approach to explore the meanings of "benevolence" and examine related Islamic verses and hadiths.

The results indicate that benevolence is an essential ethical principle in Islamic teachings, which has many applications in the medical profession, so it can be deemed as one of the principles of Islamic medical ethics. Charity to the needy, geniality, empathy, cordiality, love, and kindness are also examples of benevolence, the observance of which in the field of medicine can increase the effect of health services to the benefit of patients and facilitate treatment and care. Besides, in case a patient is inadvertently harmed in the course of receiving medical services, if a competent and scientifically qualified physician, therapist or care provider, having the consent of the patient, has treated the patient benevolently, they will not be responsible or liable according to the principle of ihsan, provided that they have not acted with negligence