Most-asked question
Is cremation or organ donation permissible?
58 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Jamiat KZN, Ibn Masood, MUBZ and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“It is not permissible for a Muslim doctor to carry out post-mortems on dead bodies, whether they are the dead bodies of Muslims or non-Muslims. After death, it is not permissible to cut the body of the deceased. Cutting or slitting the body of the deceased is against the teachings of shariah and is prohibited in deen.”
“In normal circumstances, it would not be permissible to donate blood unless there is a dire need for it. So, one would be permitted to donate blood with the intention that it should be used for life-threatening situations. In principle, the blood should only be given when there is such an emergency.”
“In principle, it is permissible for one to donate blood provided: 1. There is an immediate need and necessity (Dharurah) for blood. Blood donation cannot be used for beautification or other purposes other than dire need and necessity.”
“It is permissible to donate and transfuse blood if: a) There is a desperate need to donate blood; b) There is no other alternative; and c) This has been prescribed by an expert medical practitioner.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Blood transfusions and organ transplants Mufti Online · 10 May 2026
- Post-Mortem Azaadville · 6 Jan 2025
- Impermissibility of organ donation Ibn Masood · 8 Jul 2023
- Can Janazah Salah be done for someone who was cremated? AskImam · 28 Nov 2022
- Permissibility of Organ Donation (Lung) Camperdown · 23 Jun 2022
- Post Mortem Jamiat KZN · 11 Jan 2018
- Duties After Bathing the Deceased and Organ Donation MUBZ · 14 Jun 2024
- Muslim doctor carrying out post-mortems Mufti Online · 22 Oct 2023
- Blood Transfusions vs Organ Transplants Azaadville · 7 Nov 2021
- Exhuming a body and conducting a post-mortem Ibn Masood · 19 Oct 2022
- Is it permissible to donate blood plasma? AskImam · 27 Jun 2020
- Organ Donation Jamiat KZN · 31 Aug 2015
- Donating Blood Azaadville · 1 Nov 2021
- Can a Muslim donate blood? AskImam · 20 Mar 2016
- Is it permissible to donate blood? Jamiat KZN · 11 Oct 2010
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