Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following: This is totally false and absurd. There is absolutely no basis for such a false notion or custom in either the Qur’an or the Prophetic Sunnah (the two most authoritative sources of Islam).

Islam teaches us to look at deaths and tragedies, whether involving Muslims or non-Muslims, as occasions for reflection on the most fundamental concept of our faith: We all belong to Allah and we must all return to Him.

Furthermore, Islam also teaches us to show compassion to those who are bereaved and suffering. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Show mercy to those on earth [and] the One in Heaven will show mercy to you.” He also said, “Show mercy to those who are victims of tragedies or calamities.” In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was known as a man who ran to the succor and assistance of those in distress or faced with calamities.

Finally, I must further add that Islam forbids all forms of mutilation or display or exhibition of mutilated bodies or corpses, whether they belong to friends or foes, Muslims or non-Muslims; for taking pleasure in the suffering or tragedy of others is simply not part of the Islamic faith, which stresses compassion and mercy above everything else.