Short answer
Usually not. In the Hanafi school, treatment is permitted and encouraged but not obligatory, and someone who declines uncertain treatment is not sinful. Many contemporary scholars say it becomes obligatory when it is very likely to save a life or a limb, when an illness would spread to others, or for a child in your care. Decide with a qualified doctor and a mufti.
Seeking treatment is permissible and recommended, not obligatory, because its result is not certain; the classical texts say a person who leaves treatment and dies is not sinful. Contemporary Hanafi and other scholars add that it becomes obligatory when leaving it would very likely lead to death or serious harm, or would harm others.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Treatment is recommended (mustahabb), and leaving it is not a sin.
- Hanbali
- Treatment is permitted, and Imam Ahmad held that leaving it out of reliance on Allah is better.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Seek treatment, servants of Allah," because Allah has not made a disease without a cure. He was treated himself and sent a doctor to his Companions. So seeking treatment is good, and doing it does not reduce your trust in Allah.
The classical Hanafi texts still distinguish treatment from food and drink. If a person refuses to eat while starving and dies, he is sinful, because food certainly keeps a person alive. If he refuses treatment and dies, he is not sinful, because medicine of their time was not certain to cure. Treatment was therefore permitted and encouraged, not required.
Modern medicine has changed some cases. Many contemporary scholars, including the OIC Islamic Fiqh Academy, hold that treatment becomes obligatory when:
- leaving it would very likely lead to death or the loss of a limb or organ, and the treatment is well proven, such as insulin for type 1 diabetes or antibiotics for a serious infection
- the illness is contagious, so leaving it untreated harms others
Scholars also hold that a parent or guardian may not refuse clearly needed treatment for a child or anyone in their care who cannot decide for themselves.
Where treatment offers little hope, or its burden is far greater than its benefit, declining it is allowed. See life support and futile treatment.
These decisions are personal and serious. Get a clear explanation from a qualified doctor of what the treatment offers, then ask a mufti about your exact case. Making dua and taking the means go together: see medicine and tawakkul.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Ash-Shu'araa 26:80
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ ﴿٨٠﴾
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me
The cure is from Allah, and treatment is the means He uses.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:195
وَأَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٩٥﴾
And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.
Neglecting a sure means of saving life can fall under this.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2038
Graded sahih... نعم يا عباد الله تداووا ...
"Yes, servants of Allah, seek treatment."
Treatment is encouraged.
Sahih Muslim 2207
Sahih... بعث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى أبي بن كعب طبيبا فقطع منه عرقا ...
"The Messenger of Allah sent a doctor to Ubayy ibn Ka'b, who cut a vein for him."
The Prophet used the medicine of his time for his Companions.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on treatment. One who does not treat an illness and dies is not sinful, unlike one who refuses food while starving.
- Resolutions of the Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC), Resolution on medical treatment. Treatment becomes obligatory when leaving it leads to loss of life or a limb, or harm to others through contagion.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Jana'iz, on treatment. The Shafi'i view that treatment is recommended.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.