The Ruling on Dissecting a Dead Body for the Purpose of Learning

Question:
I have noticed that there is a place in the Faculty of Medicine in Cairo for dissecting human bodies, a group of dead men, women, and children, to dissect and cut their parts, and that is for practical knowledge. Is such a thing permissible in the Shari'ah out of necessity, especially dissecting the parts of a woman by a man, and the parts of a man by a woman? And is it permissible to cut the parts and organs of a human being?

Answer:
If the deceased was protected in his life, whether he was a Muslim or a disbeliever, and whether he was a man or a woman, then it is not permissible to dissect him; because of the harm done to him and the violation of his sanctity. It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: As for if he was not protected, such as an apostate or a combatant, then I do not know of any harm in dissecting him for the medical benefit, and Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) knows best.