Quran & Hadith: Predators

Hadith referencing PREDATORS

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) prohibited eating (the meat of) every taloned bird and every predatory animal possessing canine teeth."
— Sahih Muslim, Book 021, Number 4752

Narrated by Abu Darda:
"The Prophet (s.a.s.) prevented the eating of khatafah (خطفة) [creatures that snatch (monkeys, raccoons, etc.)], nahabah (نهبه) [creatures that plunder (mice, rats, etc.)] and mujathama (مجثمة) [animals which are tied down, restricted or trapped for target shooting], and every predator possessing canine teeth / fangs."
— Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja and Nisaa'i

Narrated Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani:
"Allah's Prophet forbade the eating of the meat of beasts having fangs."
— Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67; Muslim.

There is only one noted exception and that is the hyena, as indicated in the following hadith.
Narrated by Jabir ibn 'Abdullah:
"I asked Allah’s Messenger about the hyena and he replied, 'It is game, and if one in the state of ihram hunts it, he should give a sheep as atonement.'"
— Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 3, p. 1071, Number 3792; As-Daarimee, Al-Bayhaqee, Ibn Hibaan, Ad-Daaraqutnee and Al-Hakim, and declared Sahih by al-Haakim and al-Albaani in Irwaa al-Ghaleel, Vol. 1, p. 242, Number 1050

Islamic Schools of Thought

Predatory Land Animals
The Shafi'i School of fiqh states:
In Shafi'i fiqh, there is a distinction between animals with an innate 'predatory nature' that can conceivably prey on humans and those that do not or which are opportunists / scavengers.

Imam Shafi'i states:
"There is no eating of predatory animals with claws which feed on people: lion, tiger, and wolf. There is eating of the hyena and the fox."

Within the Shafi'i madh'hab, the great scholar Ibnul-Qayim has said: 

"The animals that are prohibited are those having the two attributes of having fangs and being predators by nature such as lions, wolves, tigers and leopards. But, as for the hyena, it only has one of these two attributes; it has fangs, but it is not a predatory beast by nature. The predatory beasts are forbidden to be eaten owing to the predatory nature they possess which is transmitted to the one feeding on them. However, the hyena is not considered a beast of prey by nature whether linguistically or conventionally."
— Ibnul-Qayim. "I'lam Al-Muwaqqi'in" (2/126), (4/ 240, 380).

The Hanafi School of fiqh states:
In Hanafi fiqh, the hyena and the fox are not permissible because this School (مذهب) defines a predatory animal as an animal that habitually snatches, plunders, wounds and kills aggressively, using the above hadith (as narrated by Abu Darda) as its proof.

See the principles of permissibility & impermissibility of animals in Hanafi fiqh.

The Maliki School of fiqh states:

In Maliki fiqh, the School takes the principle to forbid those predatory animals that have fangs. His opinion is based on the fact that the Prophet (s.a.s.) forbade the eating of predatory animals with fangs, which birds do not have, and are thus not forbidden although they might be predatory.

Imam Malik states: 
"There is no eating of lions, nor cats whether wild or domestic, nor fox, nor hyena, nor anything that is predatory."

Within the Maliki Madh'hab it is considered to be makrouh tahreem to eat vultures and hyena.

al-Awza'i says: 
"All birds are allowed except vultures (which are) reprehensible."

al-Layth says:
"There is no harm in eating a cat but a hyena is reprehensible."

[AMNA Note: The Arabic phrase "ذى ناب" can be understood to mean both "possessor of fangs" or "possessor of canine teeth." This could be the source of difference of opinion between the Maliki and Hanafi medhahib.]

Predatory Birds
The Shafi'i School of fiqh:
Imam Shafi'i states: 
"There is no eating of ... the vulture, falcon and birds like them because they are birds that feed on people."

The Hanafi School of fiqh:
Imam Abu Hanifa dislikes the eating of the meats of vultures and small hunting birds, that people do not normally eat, because they eat carcasses (carrion, الميتة).

The Maliki School of fiqh:
Imam Malik states: 
"There is no harm in eating predatory birds: Egyptian vultures, eagles, other vultures, and other birds that do not eat carrion."

"Among the birds that are forbidden to be eaten are those which feed on carrion, like vultures and crows, owing to the evil food they feed on."
— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 654.

Quran, hadith and fiqh on eating Snakes and Scorpions.

Crocodiles
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa said:

“Malik and a number of other scholars, and Ash-Shafi’I, permitted eating snail and crocodiles, because they are from the game of the sea. [However,] Abu Hanifah and a number of other scholars forbade them because they are predators [and are not truly ocean creatures]. And the question is one requiring Ijtihaad and the matter is a wide one, so it is more prudent not to eat them, bearing in mind the difference of opinion and the preponderance of the likelihood that it is not allowed.”
— Fatawa Islamiyah, 6/230

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid was asked about Crocodiles and he said:

“The correct view is that eating these is not allowed, because they have fangs and live on land – even though they may spend a lot of time in the water – so precedence should be given to the reason for forbidding it (it is a land animal that has fangs)” and Allah Knows Best."

HARAM: Hawwam هوام

HAWWAM - Creatures included in AMNA's Hawwam classification include: frogs, snails, insects (except the locust), spiders worms, snakes, scorpions, most lizards and rodents such as mice and rodents. Mold, fungus, bacteria and yeast are not hawwam.

Islamic Prohibition against HAWWAM animals:
Islam, through Jurisprudence, forbids eating all insects (save the locust), crawling and slithering animals. As a group, these animals are called hawwam as well as hasharaat al-ardh, in Arabic, but are simply known as 'vermin' and 'pests' in English.

[ HAWWAM in Quran & Hadith ]

AMNA's Criteria for HAWWAM:
The table below describes our criteria for judging a FOOD as HAWWAM. Helpful icons make it easy to judge foods at a glance.

ICON	CLASS	AMNA JUDGING CRITERIA	SOME EXAMPLES...
	HAWWAM	Foods derived from hawwam animals; Foods made with hawwam animals. Foods infested with live hawwam animals.	carmine, shellac, E904; escargots au beurre (French); mimolette cheese (French)
	HAWWAM(?)	FOODS commonly containing hawwam animals, but which could be made without.	mish (Egypt), karish cheese (Sudan)

Related Topics:
Where can I find verses from the Quran, or hadith about HAWWAM?
What are the food import regulations for countries like Saudi Arabia?
Do you have a list of HARAM Animals?
What's the difference between kosher and halal?
Why do we use "?" on some icons? What does it mean?
What if a food contains TWO haram substances?

Quran & Hadith: Hawwam هوام

Hadith referencing HAWWAM

The only insect judged to be halal is the locust; the same is true in kashruth.

Ibn Abu Aufa said: "

We went on seven expeditions with Allah's Messenger (s.a.s.) and ate locusts."

— Sahih Bukhari, Book 021, Number 4801

Ibn Abi Awfa (r.a.a.) was asked about consuming of a locust and he said:

"I fought with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) in six or seven battles, and we used to eat it (locust) with him."

— Sunan Abu Dawud, Number 3806

[AMNA Note: for more information about parrallels and differences between Islamic and Jewish dietary law (kashruth), see our section: Kosher v. Halal]

Narrated at-Talabb ibn Tha'labah at-Tamimi:

"I accompanied the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), but I did not hear about the prohibition of (eating) insects and little creatures of land."

—Sunnan Abu Dawoud, Kitab Al-At'ima. Book 27: 3789

LIZARDS

'Abdullah b. 'Abbas reported:

"I and Khalid b. Walid went to the apartment of Maimuna along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), and there was presented to him a roasted lizard (dabb). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stretched his hand towards It, whereupon some of the women who had been in the house of Maimuna said: 'Inform Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) what he intends to eat.' Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) lifted his hand. I said: 'Messenger of Allah, Is it forbidden?' He said: 'No. It is not found in the land of my people, and I feel that I have no liking for it.' Khalid said: 'I then chewed and ate it, while, Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was looking (at me).'

—Sahih Muslim, Book 021, Number 4790

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:

"I was in the house of Maymunah. The Prophet, accompanied by Khalid ibn al-Walid entered. Two roasted long-tailed lizards (dabb) placed on sticks were brought to him. The Prophet (s.a.s.) spat. Khalid said: 'I think that you abominate it, O Prophet of Allah.' He said: 'Yes.' Then the Prophet of Allah was brought milk, and he drank it. The Prophet of Allah then said: 'When one of you eats food, he should say: "O Allah, bless us in it, and give us food better than it." When he is given milk to drink, he should say: "O Allah! Bless us in it and give us more of it," for no food or drink satisfies like milk.'"

Narrated Thabit ibn Wadi'ah:

"We were in an army with the Prophet (s.a.s.). We got some lizards (dabb). I roasted one lizard and brought it to the Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) and placed it before him. He took a stick and counted its fingers. He then said: 'A group from the children of Isra'il were transformed into an animal of the land, and I do not know which animal it was.' He did not eat it, nor did he forbid (its eating).

— Abu Dawoud. Book 27, 3786

Narrated AbduRahman ibn Shibl: "The Prophet of Allah (s.a.s.) forbade eating the flesh of lizard."

— Abu Dawoud. Book 27, 3787

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

INSECTS

All Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence disallow the eating of insects.

The Hanafi School of fiqh:

Within Hanafi fiqh, those land animals that have no blood in them, such as a hornet, fly, spider, beetle, scorpion, ant, etc. are considered haram, because a sound natured person would detest their consumption. The only exception is that of a locust, for the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) clearly permitted its consumption, in the Hadith of Sunan Abu Dawud quoted earlier.

Within the Hanifi School of Islamic Jurisprudence, those land-animals who have blood in them but the blood does not flow, are also considered haram, such as a snake, lizard, chameleon, etc. (See below)

The Hanbali School of fiqh:

Within Hanbali fiqh, insects are not permitted because they are injurious:

"Among [the creatures] it is forbidden to be eaten are those which feed on carrion (dead meat)... owing to the evil food they feed on [so] it is prohibited to eat insects, as they are injurious."

— Al Fawzan, Dr. Salih (Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence. Member, The Permanent Committee on Fatwa and Research). "A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 2," Section XI: Food, Chapter 1, p. 654.

Saudi Arabia prohibits carmine (cochineal), a red-rust food coloring made from ground carmine beetles, for use in foods imported into or sold in the Kingdom.

USDA Gain Report. "Saudi Arabia: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards" [PDF]

FROGS

‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Uthmaan, who said: "When a physician consulted the Prophet (s.a.s.) about putting frogs in medicine, he forbade him to kill them."

— Abu Dawoud 41/5249

The rule is that everything which we are forbidden to kill, we are not allowed to eat; if we are allowed to eat it we are allowed to kill it.

Saudi Arabia prohibits the importation of frog legs into the Kingdom.

USDA Gain Report #SA6016: "Saudi Arabia Retail Food Sector Update." [PDF]

SNAKES & SCORPIONS

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah says:

"It is unanimously agreed upon among Muslim scholars that eating snakes and scorpions is prohibited. Therefore, if any one eats such animals regarding them as lawful to be eaten, he is to be urged to repent (for denying an agreed upon legal ruling), and whoever regards them as prohibited foods but eats them is considered sinful and defiantly disobedient to Allah and His Messenger (s.a.s.)."

— Ibn Taymiyah, Majmu' ul-Fatawa. (11/690)