Breaking the bones of the dead

A: This Hadith is an authentic one that was narrated as Marfu` (a Hadith narrated from the Prophet with a connected or disconnected chain of narration) and Mawquf (a Hadith narrated from a Companion of the Prophet). As for the Marfu` Hadith, it is reported by `Abdul-Razzaq in his Musanaf, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah in their Sunan, and by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih with their Sanads (chain of narrators) on the authority of `Amrah bint `Abdul-Rahman from `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Breaking a dead man's bone is like breaking it when he is alive. It was listed by `Abdul-Razzaq under the title: Chapter on breaking the bones of the dead, then he mentioned the Hadith with his sanad. It was also listed by Abu Dawud under the title: Chapter on finding the bones in place of digging, then he mentioned the Hadith with his Sanad. This Hadith was also listed by Ibn Majah under the title: Chapter on forbidding breaking the bones of the dead, then he mentioned the Hadith with his Sanad. Al-Hafizh Al-Haythamy also listed it in Mawarid Al-Zam`an Ila Zawa`id Ibn Hibban under the title: Chapter on whoever caused harm to a dead person, then he mentioned the Hadith with his Sanad. As for the Mawquf narration, it was mentioned by Imam Malik in (Part No. 9; Page No. 121) Al-Muwatta` with his Sanad on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: Breaking the bones of a Muslim when he is dead is like breaking them when he is alive That is equal in the sin committed. The same narration was mentioned by Imam Al-Shafi`y in his book titled Al-`Um under the title: Chapter on what is after burial, on the authority of Imam Malik that he heard that `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Breaking the bones of a Muslim when he is dead is like breaking it when he is alive.