Prohibition of Donkey Meat in Islamic Law

The prohibition of domestic donkey meat is established through authentic narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari and other canonical collections. This ruling applies specifically to domesticated donkeys (al-humur al-ahliyyah), while wild donkeys (al-humur al-wahshiyyah) remain permissible for consumption.

Juridical Reasoning and Context

Scholars from the four Sunni madhahib agree upon this prohibition based on the clear textual evidence. The wisdom behind this ruling includes the donkey's utility as a working animal and concerns about its nature. Imam al-Nawawi explains that this prohibition came during the Khaybar expedition, indicating its abrogation of any prior permissibility.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari notes that the prohibition applies to both male and female domestic donkeys. The meat is considered najis (impure) and thus invalid for Muslim consumption regardless of proper slaughtering methods.

Exceptions and Related Rulings

Horse meat remains permissible according to the majority of scholars, demonstrating that the prohibition is specific to donkeys rather than equines in general. Mules (offspring of horses and donkeys) are subject to scholarly disagreement, with the predominant opinion favoring prohibition due to their donkey lineage.

This ruling exemplifies how Islamic law considers both textual evidence and practical wisdom in determining dietary laws, balancing divine command with human welfare.