Given my studies in the Faculty of Medicine, I keep some bones. What is the ruling on that?
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The questioner : Given my studies in the Faculty of Medicine, I keep some bones. What is the ruling on that? And if I keep a skeleton in my private room, is this considered one of the three-dimensional images? I ask for a ruling on this, knowing that our studies rely on theoretical research and examining tangible models.
The Shaykh : First, we say: Is this skeleton a human skeleton or the skeleton of another animal? If it is the skeleton of another animal, there is nothing wrong with keeping it, nothing wrong with dissecting it, and nothing wrong with any work that brings benefit to medicine. This is because Allah the Exalted says:[Al-Baqarah 2:29] So, whenever there is benefit for us in our religion or our worldly affairs in these creatures that Allah created, there is no blame on us in benefiting from them. For this reason, it is permissible for us to slaughter the animals that Allah has made lawful for us and to end their lives so that we may benefit from their meat. However, if it is a human skeleton, and if the person is respected, such as a Muslim, a dhimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection), a person under a treaty, or a person granted safe conduct, then it is not permissible for a person to make an image of him or to keep his skeleton. If the person is not respected, this is a matter that requires consideration, research, review, and the issuance of a general fatwa that Muslims can benefit from.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for a skeleton other than a human skeleton, there is nothing wrong with keeping it for study or for other purposes. This is not one of the three-dimensional images, because three-dimensional images are those that a servant creates in imitation of the creation of Allah Mighty and Majestic, making them to rival the creation of Allah. As for what is among the creations of Allah, this is certainly not among the images.
The questioner : Thank you. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : First, we say: Is this skeleton a human skeleton or the skeleton of another animal? If it is the skeleton of another animal, there is nothing wrong with keeping it, nothing wrong with dissecting it, and nothing wrong with any work that brings benefit to medicine. This is because Allah the Exalted says:
It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعًاThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for a skeleton other than a human skeleton, there is nothing wrong with keeping it for study or for other purposes. This is not one of the three-dimensional images, because three-dimensional images are those that a servant creates in imitation of the creation of Allah Mighty and Majestic, making them to rival the creation of Allah. As for what is among the creations of Allah, this is certainly not among the images.
The questioner : Thank you. May Allah reward you.