Is it permissible to dissect a pig?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The dissection of fetal pigs are used in schools to educate students and help them better understand and visualize the anatomical structures they have been learning in textbooks. Fetal pigs are used because the major structures of humans and pigs are the same or similar in anatomy. For example, a pig heart and a human heart are similar in their size, structure, and function. Like a human heart, the pig heart has two atriums and two ventricles. It also has four valves and an aorta.[1]

Pigs are Najsul-Ayn (completely impure). Every fragment of it is impure and impermissible for utilization. Allah Taala says: 

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ (سورة المائدة 3)

Translation: Dead animals, blood, swine, and animals that are slaughtered without the name of Allah is forbidden upon you.

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ (سورة النحل 115) 

Translation: Verily, dead animals, blood, swine, and animals that are slaughtered without the name of Allah is prohibited upon you.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ الْخَمْرَ وَثَمَنَهَا وَحَرَّمَ الْمَيْتَةَ وَثَمَنَهَا وَحَرَّمَ الْخِنْزِيرَ وَثَمَنَهُ (سنن ابي داود 3485)

Translation: Allah Taala prohibited wine and the price paid for it, and prohibited dead meat and the price paid for it, and prohibited swine and the price paid for it.

In the enquired situation, pigs are dissected for medical educational purposes. They are not utilized for any materialistic benefit. If one is constrained to take part in that class, then one should take extreme precaution to prevent the pig and its fluids from touching one’s skin and clothes.[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Shakib Alam

Student - Darul Iftaa

Pennsylvania, USA 

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.