Hadith Text

In the evening of the day of the conquest of Khaibar, the army made fires (for cooking). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "For what have you made these fires?" They said, "For cooking the meat of domestic donkeys." He said, "Throw away what is in the cooking pots and break the pots." A man from the people got up and said, "Shall we throw the contents of the cooking pots and then wash the pots (instead of breaking them)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes, you can do either."

Prohibition of Domestic Donkey Meat

This hadith establishes the clear prohibition (tahrim) of consuming the flesh of domestic donkeys. The Prophet's immediate command to discard the cooked meat demonstrates the severity of this prohibition, placing it among the forbidden (haram) foods in Islamic law.

Scholars explain that wild donkeys (which are game animals) are permissible, while domesticated ones are forbidden due to their impurity and the general principle that what is ridden or used for work should not be consumed.

Purification of Contaminated Vessels

The initial command to break the cooking pots indicates the seriousness of contamination by prohibited substances. However, the Prophet's acceptance of washing instead of breaking shows that proper purification can remove the impurity.

Classical scholars derive from this that vessels contaminated by haram substances require thorough washing seven times, with one of them being with soil or detergent, to render them pure for use again.

Legal Flexibility and Consultation

The companion's question and the Prophet's flexible response demonstrate the Islamic principle of seeking easier alternatives when possible. This shows the mercy and practicality of Islamic law while maintaining religious boundaries.

Scholars note that this incident occurred during military campaign, yet the prohibition remains permanent and applies to all circumstances, emphasizing the absolute nature of this dietary restriction.