As for the organs on which life depends, some are single and others are paired: the former include the heart and the liver, while the latter include the kidneys and the lungs.

With respect to the organs on which life does not depend, some perform an essential bodily function and some do not; some regenerate on their own, such as blood, while others do not; some affect lineage, inheritance, and general personality—such as the testicles, ovaries, and neural cells—whereas others have no impact on any of these matters.

Form Two: transplantation of an organ from a deceased person.

It should be noted that death comprises two states:

1. Brain death, meaning the irreversible, total cessation of all brain functions as established medically.
2. The complete and irreversible, medically certified, cessation of both heartbeat and breathing.

In both cases, the Academy’s resolution issued at its third session must be observed.

Form Three: transplantation from embryos, from which benefit is sought in three situations:
– embryos expelled spontaneously;
– embryos expelled for a medical or criminal reason;
– fertilized ova cultured outside the womb.

From the standpoint of the Sharʿī rulings:
First: It is permissible to transfer an organ from one location of a person’s body to another location in the same body, provided it is verified that the expected benefit of the procedure outweighs the potential harm, and on the condition that it is done to create a missing organ, restore its usual shape or function, correct a defect, or remove a deformity that causes the person psychological or physical harm.