The developments in the technology of life support such as mechanical ventilators, dialysis machines and cardiovascular support techniques have provided the means of maintaining organ function for prolonged period of time. However, in many instances, such life-sustaining treatment in intensive care units did not result in desirable outcome where patients return to their normal state of health. Several ethical issues have surfaced from these medical advances mainly on the decision-making process, which physicians have to deal in their daily practice. Withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging treatments that allow patients to die naturally need to be differentiated from physician-assisted suicides and euthanasia that involves the active ending of life. The definition of life and death and the guiding ethical principles that one takes before embarking to a particular conclusion is a pre-requisite to good clinical practice. Islam, as a comprehensive religion provides clear definition of life and death and has guidelines that underlie its own ‘medical ethics’ that one could be guided by to assist in the decision-making process.