'Ali b. Abi Talib reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade on the Day of Khaibar temporary marriage (Muta') with women and the eating of the flesh of domestic asses.
The Book of Hunting, Slaughter, and what may be Eaten
Sahih Muslim - Hadith Reference: Sahih Muslim 1407 f
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith from Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) contains two distinct prohibitions established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during the expedition of Khaibar in the seventh year after Hijrah.
The first prohibition concerns temporary marriage (Mut'ah), which was initially permitted in early Islam but was definitively abrogated at Khaibar, establishing its permanent prohibition until the Day of Judgment.
The second prohibition addresses the consumption of domestic donkey meat, which scholars unanimously agree remains forbidden based on this clear textual evidence.
Legal Rulings and Wisdom
Regarding domestic donkeys: The prohibition is specific to domesticated donkeys, while wild donkeys (as indicated in other authentic narrations) remain permissible for consumption.
The wisdom behind this prohibition includes: domestic donkeys were primarily beasts of burden essential for transportation and agriculture; their consumption would harm community welfare. Furthermore, donkeys were often considered unclean animals in their habits and diet.
This ruling demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic law, considering both spiritual purity and worldly benefit (maslahah) in its legislation.
Scholarly Consensus
The four schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali) maintain unanimous agreement on the prohibition of consuming domestic donkey meat based on this authentic hadith.
Scholars differentiate between domestic and wild donkeys, with the latter being permissible based on the Prophet's permission to consume the flesh of wild game during the expedition of Khaibar.