Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that A'isha, thewife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used tosay, "Breaking the bone of a muslim when he is dead is like breakingit when he is alive." She meant if done in wrong action.
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 16, Hadith 45
Arabic reference: Book 16, Hadith 567