The Book of Hunting, Slaughter, and what may be Eaten

Sahih Muslim 1932 c

Hadith Text

Abu Tha'laba al-Khushani reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having prohibited the eating of all fanged beasts of prey.

Scholarly Commentary

This prohibition encompasses all predatory animals possessing fangs, such as lions, wolves, leopards, foxes, and dogs. The wisdom behind this prohibition lies in the repulsive nature of these creatures, their consumption of filth, and their inherently violent disposition. Consumption of such animals is considered harmful to human character and spirituality.

Scholars have derived from this hadith that all carnivorous beasts are unlawful (haram) for consumption. This ruling applies regardless of whether the animal is domesticated or wild. The defining characteristic is the possession of fangs used for hunting and tearing prey.

This prohibition stands in contrast to herbivorous animals, which are generally permissible, and illustrates the Islamic principle of consuming what is pure and avoiding what is harmful or impure in nature.