A New Approach to Jurisprudential Fundamentals of Dissection on the Basis of Imam Khomeini's Viewpoints

Dissection is among new medical issues whose ultimate goal is safeguarding human health through education or even dissection of a pregnant dead mother to rescue her baby. Since it is not an old problem, jurisprudents in the past did not issue an fatwa on it. The present article is an attempt to discuss the canonical decree on the subject and its related issues on the basis of Imam Khomeini’s viewpoints. In the first place, therefore, the principle of permissibility regarding the things and acts is discussed to find an outlet to dissection. It is concluded that according to authentic traditions dissection of a Muslim dead body is not allowed under normal circumstances because preserving the dignity of a Muslim dead body is obligatory. But this decree can change at the time of necessity. Also it is mandatory to pay compensation to the relatives of a diseased whose body is dissected and organs taken out.