The Ruling on Dissecting a Corpse for the Purpose of Learning

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

Answer: If the deceased is protected in his life—whether he is a Muslim or a disbeliever, and whether he is 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 is not protected, such as an apostate or a combatant, I do not know of any blame in dissecting him for the medical benefit, and Allah knows best.
And may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and his Companions.
President of the Islamic University