Medical Issues: Is It Permissible to Use Muslim Corpses for Medical Research and Bury Extracted Organs Separately?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Medical Issues: Is It Permissible to Use Muslim Corpses for Medical Research and Bury Extracted Organs Separately?

English:

Question #1273:

Research in heart and vascular diseases could require the physical examination of particular organs of dead people who suffered from such diseases. It is to be noted, though, that the extracted organs would be buried not later than one day or so after the examination has been carried out. Please let us know the ruling in the following matters.

1) Is it permissible if such research is carried out on the dead bodies of Muslims?

2) Is it permissible to bury the removed organs separately, i.e., not with the body they belong to?

3) Since it is rather problematic to bury the organs separately, is it permissible to bury them alongside any other dead body?

Answer #1273:

There is no objection to dissecting a corpse when saving a respectful life, exploring new ideas in medical science that are necessary for the society, or obtaining information regarding a disease that threatens life. However, it is obligatory not to make use of the dead body of a Muslim, where possible.

Extracted parts of the dead body of a Muslim must be buried with the same body unless burying them with the body proves difficult or unbearable. In this case, it is permissible to bury them separately or alongside another dead body.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Medical Issues