Maintaining a list of what is permissible (halal) and what is not (haram) regarding animals is deemed essential by Muslims who adhere to Islamic dietary guidelines. Several reasons underscore the significance of this list.

Before delving into the details, it is crucial to understand the criteria for classifying a land animal as Halal according to Islamic law:

  1. The animal must belong to a permissible species. According to the Islamic halal rule, animals with fangs and claws, alongside birds with talons, are non-halal and unfit for eating. Since crocodiles are also land animals, the reason for the prohibition is valid. They are land animals with fangs, therefore non-halal.
    Fact: While consuming certain animals (such as carnivorous animals or those trained to fight) is generally considered haram or forbidden in Islam, this is not always the case. For example, chickens and turkeys have claws and beaks and are generally considered halal.
  2. It must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter.
  3. The slaughtering process must be carried out by a sane adult Muslim.
  4. The name of Allah must be invoked during the slaughter.
  5. The animal should be swiftly and precisely slaughtered with a sharp knife, ensuring that the throat, windpipe, and blood vessels in the neck are cut, leading to the animal’s death without severing the spine.
  6. The blood must be fully drained from the veins.

Regarding seafood, the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools of Islamic jurisprudence hold differing views:

  • According to the Shafi’i school, all living creatures in the sea, regardless of their resemblance to fish, are considered halal. This category includes oysters, shrimp, lobsters, and crabs.
  • However, the Hanafi school adopts a more restrictive stance. They permit only fish from the sea (with fins and scales), while other sea creatures are generally deemed unlawful for consumption. Notably, opinions within the Hanafi school vary regarding prawns, with some scholars allowing them due to their resemblance to fish, while others do not.
  • Naturally poisonous animals are generally prohibited in Islamic jurisprudence due to the health risks they pose to humans. However, certain non-harmful parts of animals, especially aquatic ones, may be permissible.
  • Consult knowledgeable Islamic scholars or Halal certification authorities to navigate these dietary guidelines effectively.

This comprehensive list may help Muslims to make informed choices aligned with their religious beliefs, health considerations, ethical values, and cultural practices.

 
(i) Halal – Permissible To Consume
  1. Addax is Halal according to the Islamic perspective.
  2. Albatross is Halal according to Islam. 
  3. Alpaca is Halal according to the Islamic perspective.
  4. Anglerfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  5. Antelope is Halal according to Islam. 
  6. Argali is Halal according to Islam. 
  7. Barracuda is Halal according to Islam. 
  8. Birds without talons is Halal according to Islam. 
  9. Bison is Halal according to Islam. 
  10. Blackbird is Halal according to Islam. 
  11. Budgerigar is Halal according to Islam. 
  12. Buffalo is Halal according to Islam. 
  13. Bustard (Bird) is Halal according to Islam. 
  14. Camels is Halal according to Islam. 
  15. Catfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  16. Caviar & Sturgeon is Halal according to Islam. 
  17. Chicken is Halal according to Islam. 
  18. Clam is Halal according to Islam. 
  19. Cormorant is Halal according to Islam. 
  20. Cow is Halal according to Islam. 
  21. Crab (see Mud Crab in Not Halal list)
  22. Crawfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  23. Crayfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  24. Crane is Halal according to Islam. 
  25. Cricket is Halal according to Islam. 
  26. Cuttlefish is Halal according to Islam. 
  27. Deer is Halal according to Islam. 
  28. Dogfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  29. Dolphin (only Shafi’i) is Halal according to Islam. 
  30. Dove is Halal according to Islam. 
  31. Duck is Halal according to Islam. 
  32. Dugong (only Shafi’i) is Halal according to Islam. 
  33. Eels (not for Maliki) is Halal according to Islam. 
  34. Egret is Halal according to Islam. 
  35. Egg Roe is Halal according to Islam. 
  36. Eland is Halal according to Islam. 
  37. Finch is Halal according to Islam. 
  38. Fish (common fish, e.g., Salmon, Snapper etc.)
  39. Flamingo is Halal according to Islam. 
  40. Francolin is Halal according to Islam. 
  41. Freshwater fish (e.g., Tilapia, etc.)
  42. Gazelle is Halal according to Islam. 
  43. Geese is Halal according to Islam. 
  44. Gemsbok is Halal according to Islam. 
  45. Giraffe is Halal according to Islam. 
  46. Goat is Halal according to Islam. 
  47. Grasshopper is Halal according to Islam. 
  48. Grebe is Halal according to Islam. 
  49. Gull is Halal according to Islam. 
  50. Hagfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  51. Hares is Halal according to Islam. 
  52. Heron is Halal according to Islam. 
  53. Hoopoe is Halal according to Islam. 
  54. Horse is Halal according to Islam. 
  55. Ibex is Halal according to Islam. 
  56. Ibis is Halal according to Islam. 
  57. Kangaroo—If the government protects it as a protected animal species, it is not Halal according to the rules of the land.
  58. Kingfisher is Halal according to Islam. 
  59. Krill is Halal according to Islam. 
  60. Lamb is Halal according to Islam. 
  61. Llama is Halal according to Islam. 
  62. Lobster is Halal according to Islam. 
  63. Locust is Halal according to Islam. 
  64. Loon is Halal according to Islam. 
  65. Mackerel is Halal according to Islam. 
  66. Magpie is Halal according to Islam. 
  67. Manta ray is Halal according to Islam. 
  68. Martlet is Halal according to Islam. 
  69. Moorhen is Halal according to Islam. 
  70. Moose is Halal according to Islam. 
  71. Mussel is Halal according to Islam. 
  72. Nightingale is Halal according to Islam. 
  73. Octopus is Halal according to Islam. 
  74. Oryx is Halal according to Islam. 
  75. Ostrich is Halal according to Islam. 
  76. Ox is Halal according to Islam. 
  77. Oyster is Halal according to Islam. 
  78. Parrot is Halal according to Islam. 
  79. Partridge is Halal according to Islam. 
  80. Peacock is Halal according to Islam. 
  81. Pelican is Halal according to Islam. 
  82. Penguin is Halal according to Islam. 
  83. Petrel is Halal according to Islam. 
  84. Pigeon is Halal according to Islam. 
  85. Pike is Halal according to Islam. 
  86. Puffin is Halal according to Islam. 
  87. Quail is Halal according to Islam. 
  88. Rabbit is Halal according to Islam. 
  89. Reindeer is Halal according to Islam. 
  90. Ringdove/ woodpigeon is Halal according to Islam. 
  91. Roebuck is Halal according to Islam. 
  92. Roller is Halal according to Islam. 
  93. Rooster is Halal according to Islam. 
  94. Sea urchin is Halal according to Islam. 
  95. Scallop is Halal according to Islam. 
  96. Shark (with limitation due to arsenic and mercury levels) – is Halal according to Islam. 
  97. Shearwater is Halal according to Islam. 
  98. Sheep is Halal according to Islam. 
  99. Shrimp is Halal according to Islam. 
  100. Small birds (sparrow, swallow, finch)
  101. Snipe is Halal according to Islam. 
  102. Spoonbill is Halal according to Islam. 
  103. Springbok is Halal according to Islam. 
  104. Stag is Halal according to Islam. 
  105. Starfish is Halal according to Islam. 
  106. Starling is Halal according to Islam. 
  107. Stingrays is Halal according to Islam. 
  108. Sturgeon—If the government protects it as a protected animal species, it is not Halal according to the rules of the land.
  109. Squid is Halal according to Islam. 
  110. Stork is Halal according to Islam. 
  111. Swan is Halal according to Islam. 
  112. Squirrel – there are two opinions, Halal and haram, since squirrel is a vermin.
  113. Tern/ sea swallow is Halal according to Islam. 
  114. Thrush is Halal according to Islam. 
  115. Trout is Halal according to Islam. 
  116. Turkey is Halal according to Islam. 
  117. Turtledove is Halal according to Islam. 
  118. Wallaby is Halal according to Islam. 
  119. Waterbuck is Halal according to Islam. 
  120. White Abalone is Halal according to Islam. 
  121. Wildebeest is Halal according to Islam. 
  122. Wild-range fish is Halal according to Islam. 
  123. Wren is Halal according to Islam. 
  124. Zebra is Halal according to Islam. 

Note: For aquatic animals, any form of poison and intoxication needs to be removed, and for the land animal it is subjected to the Halal slaughtering process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (ii) Not Halal – Impermissible to consume

  1. Aardvark is Haram, according to Islam.
  2. Alligator is Haram, according to Islam.
  3. Animals that live underground/ ‘burrow’
  4. Ant is Haram, according to Islam.
  5. Anteater is Haram, according to Islam.
  6. Ape is Haram, according to Islam.
  7. Armadillo is Haram, according to Islam.
  8. Badger is Haram, according to Islam.
  9. Barnacle is Haram, according to Islam.
  10. Beaver is Haram, according to Islam.
  11. Bee is Haram, according to Islam.
  12. Beetle is Haram, according to Islam.
  13. Bilby is Haram, according to Islam.
  14. Birds with talons that use them to hunt
  15. Black bear is Haram, according to Islam.
  16. Butterfly is Haram, according to Islam.
  17. Caecilians is Haram, according to Islam.
  18. Capybara is Haram, according to Islam.
  19. Cat is Haram, according to Islam.
  20. Caterpillar is Haram, according to Islam.
  21. Centipede is Haram, according to Islam.
  22. Chameleon is Haram, according to Islam.
  23. Cheetah is Haram, according to Islam.
  24. Chimpanzee is Haram, according to Islam.
  25. Chinchilla is Haram, according to Islam.
  26. Chipmunk is Haram, according to Islam.
  27. Cicada is Haram, according to Islam.
  28. Coati is Haram, according to Islam.
  29. Cockle is Haram, according to Islam.
  30. Cockroach is Haram, according to Islam.
  31. Cony is Haram, according to Islam.
  32. Cougar is Haram, according to Islam.
  33. Coyote is Haram, according to Islam.
  34. Coypu is Haram, according to Islam.
  35. Creepy crawlies – insects – bugs
  36. Crocodile is Haram, according to Islam.
  37. Crow/ all birds that eat beef only
  38. Dingo is Haram, according to Islam.
  39. Dog is Haram, according to Islam.
  40. Dolphin (Hanafi only)
  41. Donkey is Haram, according to Islam.
  42. Dormouse is Haram, according to Islam.
  43. Dragonfly is Haram, according to Islam.
  44. Dugong (Hanafi only)
  45. Eagle is Haram, according to Islam.
  46. Earwig is Haram, according to Islam.
  47. Eel (Maliki only)
  48. Elephant is Haram, according to Islam.
  49. Ermine is Haram, according to Islam.
  50. Falcon is Haram, according to Islam.
  51. Fennec is Haram, according to Islam.
  52. Flea is Haram, according to Islam.
  53. Fly is Haram, according to Islam.
  54. Fox is Haram, according to Islam.
  55. Frog is Haram, according to Islam.
  56. Gecko is Haram, according to Islam.
  57. Gerbil is Haram, according to Islam.
  58. Gharial is Haram, according to Islam.
  59. Glede is Haram, according to Islam.
  60. Gopher is Haram, according to Islam.
  61. Gorilla is Haram, according to Islam.
  62. Grizzly bear is Haram, according to Islam.
  63. Groundhog is Haram, according to Islam.
  64. Hamster is Haram, according to Islam.
  65. Harrier is Haram, according to Islam.
  66. Hawk is Haram, according to Islam.
  67. Hedgehog is Haram, according to Islam.
  68. Hippopotamus is Haram, according to Islam.
  69. Hornet is Haram, according to Islam.
  70. Hyena is Haram, according to Islam.
  71. Iguana is Haram, according to Islam.
  72. Jackal is Haram, according to Islam.
  73. Jaguar is Haram, according to Islam.
  74. Jellyfish – the venomous part is Haram.  
  75. Jerboa is Haram, according to Islam.
  76. Kinkajou is Haram, according to Islam.
  77. Kite is Haram, according to Islam.
  78. Kitten is Haram, according to Islam.
  79. Komodo dragon is Haram, according to Islam.
  80. Ladybird is Haram, according to Islam.
  81. Leopard is Haram, according to Islam.
  82. Lice is Haram, according to Islam.
  83. Lion is Haram, according to Islam.
  84. Lizard is Haram, according to Islam.
  85. Lynx is Haram, according to Islam.
  86. Mandrill is Haram, according to Islam.
  87. Marten is Haram, according to Islam.
  88. Mayfly is Haram, according to Islam.
  89. Mice is Haram, according to Islam.
  90. Millipede is Haram, according to Islam.
  91. Mink is Haram, according to Islam.
  92. Mole is Haram, according to Islam.
  93. Mongoose is Haram, according to Islam.
  94. Monkey is Haram, according to Islam.
  95. Mosquito is Haram, according to Islam.
  96. Moth is Haram, according to Islam.
  97. Mud Crab – without flipper legs- shows it lives on the land more.
  98. Mule is Haram, according to Islam. 
  99. Muskrat is Haram, according to Islam.
  100. Newt is Haram, according to Islam.
  101. Nutria is Haram, according to Islam.
  102. Opossum is Haram, according to Islam.
  103. Orang-utan is Haram, according to Islam.
  104. Owl is Haram, according to Islam.
  105. Panther is Haram, according to Islam.
  106. Peccary is Haram, according to Islam.
  107. Periwinkle is Haram, according to Islam.
  108. Pig is Haram, according to Islam.
  109. Polar bear is Haram, according to Islam.
  110. Porcupine is Haram, according to Islam.
  111. Prairie dog is Haram, according to Islam.
  112. Racoon is Haram, according to Islam.
  113. Rat is Haram, according to Islam.
  114. Rodents is Haram, according to Islam.
  115. Sable is Haram, according to Islam.
  116. Salamander is Haram, according to Islam.
  117. Sannakji is Haram, according to Islam.
  118. Scorpion is Haram, according to Islam.
  119. Sea snail is Haram, according to Islam.
  120. Sea squirt is Haram, according to Islam.
  121. Seal is Haram, according to Islam.
  122. Shrew is Haram, according to Islam.
  123. Skunk is Haram, according to Islam.
  124. Slug is Haram, according to Islam.
  125. Snail
  126. Snake is Haram, according to Islam.
  127. Spider is Haram, according to Islam.
  128. Sponge is Haram, according to Islam.
  129. Stoat
  130. Stone Crab is Haram, according to Islam.
  131. Squirrel – there are two opinions, Halal and haram since squirrel is a vermin.
  132. Termite is Haram, according to Islam.
  133. Tick is Haram, according to Islam.
  134. Tiger is Haram, according to Islam.
  135. Toad is Haram, according to Islam.
  136. Tortoise/ turtle is Haram, according to Islam.
  137. Vermin/ pests is Haram, according to Islam.
  138. Vole is Haram, according to Islam.
  139. Vulture is Haram, according to Islam.
  140. Walrus is Haram, according to Islam.
  141. Wasp is Haram, according to Islam.
  142. Weasel is Haram, according to Islam.
  143. Whelk— Snail species are mostly amphibious (living in two worlds), which makes them haram. 
  144. Wolf is Haram, according to Islam.
  145. Woodlouse is Haram, according to Islam.
  146. Worm is Haram, according to Islam.

 

References:

  1. Syakh Yusuf Qardawi’s Reference and Fatwa on Seafood and Others

2. Quran Al-Maidah : 96 – Seafood

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ ۖ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًا ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

Lawful to you is the pursuit of water-game and its use for food,- for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel; but forbidden is the pursuit of land-game;- as long as ye are in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. And fear Allah, to Whom ye shall be gathered back.

3. Quran Al-An’am : 119 – Land Animal

وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا لَّيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهْوَائِهِم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُعْتَدِينَ

And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord – He is most knowing of the transgressors.

4. Consensus of Scholars

The majority of the scholars (al-rajih `inda al-jumhur) believe that in our Religion, “the default in things is permissibility” (al-aslu fil-ashya’ al-ibaha) until proven haram.

5. According to Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal (RA) And Imam Shafi (RA):

All living creatures that live in the sea are halal, whether they are in the form of fish or not. Imam Malik (RA) has said that all living creatures are halal except for an eel. Based on this, oysters, shrimp, lobsters and crabs will be permissible to consume. (Hidayah p.442 v.4 & Al Lubab p.533 v.7)

 

Posted by Rohaizad, Industry Columnist

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43 Comments

  1. Nad 21 May 2020 at 2:49 PM

    Why sea squirt is also haram to eat?

    Reply

    1. Rohaizad Hassan 17 June 2020 at 11:23 PM

      According to Shafi’i, it is Halal

  2. Doni AY 8 May 2020 at 9:40 PM

    grasshopper is halal. from hadist shahih At Tirmizi and HR. Ahmad ..

    Reply

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