What Animals Are Haram to Eat in Islam? These are the 5 Characteristics

As the only living creature, humans are free to eat whatever they want, from everything living on earth. However, you need to remember that in Islam there are limits to what can be eaten (halal) and what cannot be eaten (haram). Allah SWT explains this in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 168:

O people, eat what is lawful and good on earth, and do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is your open enemy. 168

It means: “O people, eat some (food) on earth that is lawful and good and do not follow the steps of Satan. Indeed, for you he is a real enemy.”

From this verse, Allah SWT confirms that humans are allowed to eat everything on earth as long as it is halal according to the Shari’a. So how do we know what is permitted and forbidden by Allah SWT? For this reason, it is important for us to know the characteristics of foods that are forbidden.

Nature as the main source of food for humans provides various types, starting from plants and animals. If plants are basically halal to eat, as long as they are not harmful, then the laws regarding animals are more diverse.

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As for animals that live in the sea, basically all types are halal for consumption, as Allah says in QS Al-Ma’idah verse 96:

It is halal for you to catch and eat seafood.

It means: “Permitted for you are sea game and food (which comes from) the sea.”

Prohibited Animals

If all animals originating from the sea are permitted, this is different from land animals, where the law depends on certain characteristics. as follows:

Firstan animal considered disgusting to Arabs. In the book Fathul Qorib, Sheikh Ibn Qosim al-Ghazi explains:

(And every animal that an Arab likes) who is a rich, fertile, noble character and luxurious (halal, except for what) any animal (Shariah forbids it)

It means: “(And every animal that is considered delicious by Arabs) – namely Arabs whose lives are prosperous, live in fertile areas, have healthy habits, and live in prosperity – (then that animal is halal), except for animals that are mentioned by the Shari’a as haram.”

From this information, we can understand that one of the arguments for the status of animals is based on the Arabs’ assessment of the merits and demerits of an animal. If Arabs consider an animal worthy and good to eat, then the animal is halal. On the other hand, if it is considered disgusting or unfit to be eaten, then the animal is haram. This applies as long as there is no evidence from the Koran or hadith that shows it is halal or haram.

Secondanimals with fangs and animals with sharp claws. After explaining the basis of the Arabs’ judgment, Sheikh Ibnu Qasim Al-Ghazi then explained the characteristics of animals that are definitely haram.

(It is prohibited for wild animals to have fangs), namely (strong) teeth that can be used to attack animals, such as lions or tigers. (And it is forbidden for birds that have claws) by breaking the meem and opening the sheep, namely nails (which are strong and can be injured) like eagles, falcons and peregrine falcons.

It means: “And it is forbidden from wild animals that have fangs, namely strong teeth that are used to attack other animals, such as lions and tigers. And it is forbidden from birds that have claws) by reading mikhlab (scratch) namely with kasrah on the letter mim and fathah on the letter lam, meaning that a strong nail is used to injure, such as the garuda, garuda, and shahīn birds.

It is completely prohibited for animals with fangs and claws, even if they are tame. therefore cats are also haram because they have fangs.

Thirdunclean animal. Apart from wild animals and disgusting animals, there are also types of animals that are forbidden because they are unclean. As is generally known, animals that are considered unclean in Islam are pigs and dogs. Anything that is unclean is definitely haram to eat. So it is also haram for both of them to interbreed because they are still considered unclean, even though they are the result of cross-breeding with a sacred animal as explained by Sheikh Zainuddin Al-Malibari in the book Fathul Mu’in:

Like a dog and a pig, each branch is fused or with another person

It means: “And like dogs and swine (unclean things), as well as the offspring of both, whether of the same sex or of other sex.”

Fourth, animals that are ordered to be killed by the Shari’a. Also considered haram to eat are animals that are ordered to be killed by the Shari’a. based on the hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

On the authority of Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anhu, on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, who said: Five immoral people will be killed in the Holy Place: rats, scorpions and Hades. And crows and squirrel dogs

Meaning: “From Aisyah Radhiyallahu ‘anha Rasulullah said: “Five evil animals that may be killed, both in the haram land and outside it: rats, scorpions, birds of prey, crows and black dogs.” (HR Bukhari No; 3136)

This prohibition shows that these animals must not be eaten, because if they were allowed to be eaten, of course it would not be possible to order them to be killed without cause.

Fifthanimals that are prohibited from being killed by the Shari’a. Apart from animals that are ordered to be killed, there are also those that are prohibited from being killed. The prohibition on killing these animals also shows that these animals must not be eaten, because how could animals that can be eaten be prohibited from being killed first?

Among the animals that are haram to kill based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas ra, he said:

The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, forbade killing four animals: ants, bees, hoopoe birds and shrike birds.

It means: “Indeed, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam forbade killing four types of animals, namely: ants, bees, hoopoe birds and shurad birds (a type of sparrow).” (HR. Abu Dawud)

From the various explanations above, we can understand that Islam has provided characteristics regarding the types of animals that are halal and haram for consumption. All animals that live in the sea are basically halal, because Allah has made them absolutely halal in the Koran. while for land animals, the law depends on their characteristics and characteristics, such as unclean animals, wild animals that have fangs, animals with claws, animals that are considered disgusting, as well as animals that are ordered or prohibited to be killed by the Shari’a.

Islamic law does not just forbid animals without a purpose. but the label of haram given by the Shari’a is none other than to maintain the health and benefit of its people. By understanding the characteristics of animals that are forbidden, it is hoped that Muslims can be more careful in choosing food, so as to avoid things that are haram. May we always consume what is halal and good. Wallahua’lam.

Also Read: Definition of Jallalah Animals and the Law on Eating Them

Author: Achmad Ubayu Anandyoga

Editor: M. Sutan