The
laws of Halal and Haram animals
Foreword by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb
Apart from
discussing the principles that distinguish between Halal and Haram in animals,
fish and birds, the interesting aspect in this research is the enumeration of
approximately 300 animals and their categorization as Halal or Haram. The chart
at the end provides this useful information at one glance. The academic
references will be particularly useful for the Ulama.
Allah
Ta'ala has granted us human beings with innumerable blessings and bounties. He
has made us the best of creation and made other creations subservient to us.
Consider the following verses:
·
“Allah is
the one who created the skies and the earth and sent down rain from the skies
produced thereby some fruits as provision for you.” (14:32)[1]
·
“And He
has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth -
all from Him.” (45:13)[2]
·
“And
indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is
in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you
eat.” (23:21)[3]
·
“Do they
not see that We have created for them from what We have made, grazing
livestock, and [then] they are their owners? And We have tamed them for them,
so some of them they ride, and some of them they eat.” (36:71-72)[4]
However, this
does not mean that we can consume anything we wish. Allah Ta'ala has set
boundaries for us to adhere to. There are some things that He has declared
impermissible in the Holy Quran such as swine (pig) and intoxicants.[5] We may not be able to understand the reasoning
behind certain laws and ordainments of Allah Ta'ala, but He alone is the
All-Knowing, All-Merciful; the best to decide what is beneficial and harmful
for us.
This paper hopes
to expound on which animals and creatures are permissible and impermissible for
us Muslims to consume in the Hanafi school of thought based on the
Quran, Ahadith and texts of the illustrious Fuqahaa. A list of
permissible and impermissible animals will be provided at the end of the paper.
