Is dissecting and examining human cadavers in medical school—an unavoidable part of the curriculum—forbidden in Islamic law?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the corpse belongs to a deceased non-Muslim, there is no harm in dissecting it. However, it is not permissible to dissect the corpse of a Muslim due to the humiliation involved and the uncovering of private parts. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said: "The sanctity of the dead is like the sanctity of the living," and "Breaking the bone of a deceased believer is like breaking it while he is alive."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/26013
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 26013
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy