On the Day of the battle of Khaibar, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made donkey's meat unlawful and allowed the eating of horse flesh.
The Prohibition of Donkey Meat
The prohibition of domesticated donkey meat on the Day of Khaibar was a definitive ruling from the Prophet (ﷺ). Scholars explain this prohibition applies to all domesticated donkeys, as they are considered impure animals unsuitable for consumption. This ruling came during the significant battle of Khaibar in the 7th year after Hijrah.
Imam al-Bukhari records this in his Sahih under "The Book of Hunting and Slaughtering" (Kitab al-Sayd wa al-Dhaba'ih), indicating this ruling pertains to dietary laws. The prohibition is based on the hadith's clear text and represents a permanent ruling in Islamic law.
The Permissibility of Horse Flesh
Concurrently, the Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly permitted the consumption of horse flesh. This allowance demonstrates that horse meat is pure (tahir) and lawful (halal) for Muslims to consume. The permissibility includes both wild and domesticated horses.
Scholars note that this ruling came during a time of military campaign when food provisions were limited, yet the Prophet's declaration establishes a general ruling applicable to all circumstances. The Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools consider horse meat permissible, while some Hanafi scholars regard it as disliked (makruh) but not forbidden.
Wisdom Behind the Ruling
The wisdom behind prohibiting donkey meat includes: domestic donkeys were often used as working animals and companions, their consumption might cause practical hardship, and there may be health considerations unknown at the time. The permission of horse meat provided Muslims with an additional lawful food source, especially valuable during military campaigns.
This ruling exemplifies how Islamic law balances spiritual purity with practical needs, while establishing clear dietary guidelines for the Muslim community.