The ruling on opening the Corpse of the Deceased for learning
Question :
I have noticed that in the Faculty of Medicine in Cairo, in the place for opening the bodies of human beings. there is a group of corpses comprised of men, women and children for the purpose of opening the bodies and cutting of their body parts (i.e., dissection). This is done for the sake of practical knowledge. Is the likes of this religiously permissible due to necessity, and particularly the man opening the body parts of the woman, and vice versa? And is it permissible to cut off parts and limbs of the human being?
Answer:
If the deceased was sacred and protected in his life, regardless of whether he was a Muslim or a disbeliever, and regardless of whether it was a man or woman, it is not permissible to open their body. This is due to what this contains of mistreatment to the deceased and disrespect of his honor. It has been confirmed from the Messenger of Allâh that he said:
"Breaking the bone of the deceased is like breaking it while he is alive. "
However, if the person was not sacred and protected, like an apostate (from Islam) and one who fights against the Muslims, then I do not know of any harm in opening his body for medical benefits. And Allâh, Who is free of imperfections and Most High, knows best.
Source:
Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 3 Pages 138-139
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