What should be done with the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth?

Question:

What should be done with the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth?

Answer:

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

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

Our bodies are not our ‘property’ but are entrusted to us by Allah Ta’ālā.  He is the Owner and the Fashioner of our bodies.  Furthermore, He has granted us honour and sanctity.  Allah Ta’ālā states,

“And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Qur’ān 17:70)

Therefore, every portion of a human’s body is sanctified and deserves respect.  Mutilation, suicide, self-induced harm and all other such actions are all prohibited due to disrespecting and dishonouring the human body entrusted to us.

Thus, the umbilical cord and placenta like other body parts should be taken and buried in the ground.[1]

And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best

www.darulfiqh.com