The Prophet (ﷺ) made the meat of donkeys unlawful on the day of the battle of Khaibar.
Hadith Prohibition of Donkey Meat
The Prophet (ﷺ) made the meat of donkeys unlawful on the day of the battle of Khaibar.
Context and Circumstances
This prohibition occurred during the Battle of Khaibar in the 7th year after Hijrah. The domestic donkeys referred to here are specifically the domesticated ones used for transport and labor, not wild donkeys (which remain permissible according to other narrations).
Legal Ruling (Hukm)
The prohibition is established as absolute (tahrim) based on the clear wording "made unlawful." This ruling applies to both the meat and fat of domestic donkeys. The prohibition remains in effect until the Day of Judgment unless abrogated by another text - which did not occur.
Wisdom Behind the Prohibition
Scholars mention several wisdoms: domestic donkeys were considered impure animals, they were primarily beasts of burden not meant for consumption, and there were health considerations regarding their meat. Some scholars also note they were often fed impurities.
Distinction from Wild Donkeys
It is crucial to distinguish between domestic donkeys (prohibited) and wild donkeys (permissible). The Companions consumed wild donkey meat during the expedition of Tabuk, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. The differentiation lies in their nature and habitat.
Scholarly Consensus
There is consensus (ijma') among the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence regarding the prohibition of domestic donkey meat. This ruling is based on multiple authentic narrations including Sahih al-Bukhari 5521 and other reliable sources.