Resolution of the Council of Senior Scholars Concerning the Autopsy of the Deceased
(No. 47, dated 20/8/1396 AH)
All praise belongs to Allah alone, and may blessings and peace be upon the one after whom there is no prophet, Muhammad, and upon his family and Companions. To proceed:
At the ninth session of the Council of Senior Scholars, convened in the city of Taʾif during Shaʿban 1396 AH, the Council reviewed the letter of His Excellency the Minister of Justice, No. 3231/2 Kh, which was based on the letter of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, No. 34/1/12/13446/3, dated 6/8/1395 AH. Attached to it was a copy of a memorandum from the Malaysian Embassy in Jeddah requesting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s view and position on conducting a medical surgical procedure on a deceased Muslim for purposes that serve medical services.
The Council also examined the study submitted by the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Fatwa and found that the issue falls into three categories:
- Autopsy undertaken to verify a criminal allegation.
- Autopsy undertaken to identify epidemic diseases, so that the necessary preventive measures may be taken in light of the findings.
- Autopsy undertaken for educational purposes, both learning and teaching.
After exchanging views, discussing the matter, and studying the research presented by the aforementioned Committee, the Council resolved as follows:
With regard to the first and second categories, the Council holds that permitting them secures many benefits in the realms of security and justice and protects society from epidemic diseases. The harm entailed in violating the dignity of the dissected corpse is outweighed by the numerous and public benefits thereby achieved. Accordingly, the Council decides unanimously