Learn Arabic Online


Learn Arabic Online
Now Registering for March 2009 - Learn Arabic Online!

Is Catfish Halal?

Answered by Shaykh Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam, Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK


Visit our Partner Sites
Learn Arabic Online
Unparalleled online Classes in classical Arabic taught in real time by traditionally trained western born instructors
www.shariahprogram.ca
Arabic Alphabet
Complete Tutorial for those wishing the learn the Arabic alphabet!
www.ShariahProgram.ca
Free Website Templates
Free Website Template Resources to Suit all your graphic needs
www.websitetemplate.org
Homeschooling Resources
Comprehensive Directory of hard to find homeschooling resources
www.shamlu.org

QUESTION:

I have been told that we are not to eat catfish because it does not contain scales and because it is a carnivorous scavenger. Is this true for any madhab, and if so which?

ANSWER:

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

In the three schools of Islamic law other than the Hanafis (namely Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali), the general ruling is that the produce of the sea is permitted. Meaning, everything from the sea is lawful to consume with the exception of a sea-dog and sea-pig.


However, according to the Hanafi School, whatever is known to be from the fish family will be permitted, and the rest is unlawful. (Hidaya, 4/71)

Keeping this principle in mind, it is evident that a catfish is without doubt Halal according to the other three schools of fiqh. However, according to the Hanafi school, this depends on whether it is considered a fish or not.

After researching into the catfish, the scholars mention that it is a special type of fish, thus lawful to eat according to the Hanafi School also. (See the Encyclopedia Britannica, for example.)

And Allah knows best

Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester, UK

[Source: Darul Iftaa]



PLEASE READ: "FAIR USE NOTICE"



Women in Islam | Sufism - Islamic Mysticism | Islamic Jihad | Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) | Islamic History | Prayer in Islam | Islamic Marriage | Fasting in Ramadan | Eat Halal Foods | Worshipping Allah | Quran - Muslim Holy-book | Hajj - Pilgrimage in Islam | Islam - Fastest Growing Religion | Children in Islam | Islamic Finance | Conversion to Islam | Islam - Unseen | Biographies of Islamic Personalities | Myths about Islam

Learn Arabic Contact Us About Us