Permissibility of hunting and fishing
10-4-2004 | IslamWeb
Question:
I am a Muslim in Russia (Tatarstan, Kazancity). Here we live under state laws rather the laws of Allah and Sunnah of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). In this regard we Muslims are tested by many difficulties in doing business. For example, to do business we fear Allah’s punishment for taking bank loans which charge interest. How can we rise above our current conditions?
Me-I like fishing. I satisfy my enthusiasm for fishing and at the same time I provide my family and relatives with fresh fish. Is this permissible according to Shariah?
Also, is it permissible to engage in hunting, i.e. for wild ducks, geese, elk, wild rabbits for pleasure as well as to feed the family? I am not forced to do this, as Halal meet is sold in shops at mosques. Is my employment (occupation) as a hunter Halal? Is it permissible to hunt and fish during the sacred months? Please answer using Qur'an and Sunnah.
Answer:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Getting a loan from a bank with interest is not permissible except in the case of necessity. This is what has been clarified in Fatawa: 83704 and 83688.
As regards fishing and hunting ducks and geese, and all other animals and birds that are lawful in Shariah, this is permissible. There are many Ahadith that refer to hunting. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said about the game hunted by a dog: "If you set off your dog and have mentioned Allah's name, eat (it)." I asked the Prophet about the game killed by a Mi'rad (i.e. a featherless arrow). He said, He said, "If the game is killed with its sharp edge, eat of it, but if it is killed with its shaft, with a hit by its broad side then the game is (unlawful to eat) for it has been beaten to death."
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "When you set off your trained dog having mentioned the Name of Allah, if it catches the hunted animal alive slaughter it and then eat it. If it hunts it for you eat it even if the hunted animal is killed provided the hunting dog has not eaten any part of the game. If any other hound shares with your trained dog don’t eat the game since you do not know which of them killed the game. If you shoot with your arrow after mentioning the name of Allah, and if the game disappears for one day, and then you find it and do not find other than the trace of your arrow then you can eat it if you wish. If you find it sunk in water then do not eat it." [Reported by Imam Muslim and others]
Imam An-Nawawi said: 'This Hadith proves clearly that hunting is permissible according to Qur’an, Sunnah and the consensus of Muslim scholars.' Qadi Ayadh said: 'Hunting is permissible for all those who hunt to earn money, to consume it, or for any necessity. However, the scholars disagree concerning the one who hunts animals only for amusement but mentions Allah’s Name to make them lawful. Imam Malik disliked this act while Imam Laith and Ibn al-Hakam permitted it. However, if one hunts without mentioning Allah’s name then it is forbidden since it is terminating a soul without any lawful reason which is considered as making mischief in the earth.'
Know that fishing does not need mentioning Allah’s Name since dead fish are made Halal. But hunting land animals needs the mentioning of Allah’s Name.
Hunting in sacred months is also permissible, except in the Haram, i.e. Makkah.
Allah knows best.