How do we reconcile the information that the worms that consume the deceased's body originate from the human body (whether through microbial proliferation or fly eggs) with the word "earth" mentioned in the noble Hadith: "Indeed, Allah has forbidden the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets"?
It is impossible for definitive religious texts to contradict scientific facts, because the Quran is from Allah; if it were from other than Him, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy. As for worms consuming the body of the deceased, there is no contradiction between this and the . Earthworms may include insects and bacteria that feed on the corpse, or the mention of worms might be metaphorical, referring to creatures that inhabit and emerge from the earth. This is a case of addressing people in terms they understand and based on what they observe regarding the state of the deceased. The principles of exegesis have indicated that the Quran may address people based on their beliefs, rather than the absolute reality of a matter.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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