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Medical students dissecting human bodies

09-10-2000

Question 10938

I'm currently a medical student.  In Medical school we are required to disect and examine human cadavers (dead bodies).  This is a very important part of the study of medicine and cannot be avoided.  Is taking part in such practices for the purpose of being a doctor Haram?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If the cadaver is that of a dead kaafir, then it is OK. But if it is the body of a Muslim, then it is not permitted, because that involves disrespect, as well as uncovering the ‘awrah.  It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The sanctity of the dead is like the sanctity of the living, and breaking the bone of a dead believer is like breaking it when he is alive.”

Medicine and medical treatments
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