Mental Capacity In Islamic Law And Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The capacity and functionalities of the ‘aqal delineated by classical jurists are made within the context of fulfilling the taklīf or religious responsibilities although Islamic Law encompasses every aspect of human life and functions. The discourse on mental impairments and its implication toward legal capacity have also been made in classical literature, approaching it with the classical view held at the time. Psychiatry has developed its own clinical threshold in diagnosing mental disorders; centering upon identification of symptoms and disrupted areas of functions. This study aims to review literatures correlating the legal implications of schizophrenia according to Islamic Law. In this qualitative study, document review and descriptive analysis methods were applied to extract data from the literature. The findings show that clinical practice in diagnostic criteria and assessment scales need to be considered by Islamic Jurists in order to precisely determine the status for legal capacity of Muslims diagnosed with schizophrenia.