A Trip to Body World? (Exhibiting Unclothed Cadavers)

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: My biology teacher told us that he has organized a trip to Body World, but that
this trip is optional. I have said no because it displays naked dead bodies. I was wondering what Islam says about places like Body World?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful

Assalamu alaikum,

It would be impermissible and sinful to go to such an exhibit because it is impermissible to use
dead bodies in such a way, and it entails abasement of the human body.

As for the educational benefits in such an exhibit, these benefits may be achieved through other
means.

Allah Most High said, “Verily, we have honored the children of Adam.” [Qur’an, 17:70]

Imam Sarakhsi, in Sharh al-Siyar al-Kabir, explained that, “A human is deserved to be honored
after their death, as they do while alive,” [1.228] which is why it is not permitted to use any part
of a human, except in the ways the Sacred Law has permitted.

Imam Kasani said in his Bada’i` al-Sana’i` that, “The entirety of a human being has been
honored. Using any detached part of it entails disrespect.“ [5.125] The same, a fortiori applies to
displaying the entire human body, especially its nakedness.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani