Is a bear permissible to eat?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
The permissibility of eating a bear is contingent upon its characteristics. If the bear possesses fangs and uses them to prey upon others (faras bihi), it is prohibited (muharram). If it lacks these characteristics, it is permissible (mubah). The default ruling is permissibility unless the prohibitive condition (possessing fangs for predation) is established. Similarity to beasts of prey is only relevant in establishing the prohibited cause, which is having fangs for hunting and preying.
Supporting text
Imam Ahmad stated that if it does not have a fang, there is no harm in consuming it. The companions of Abu Hanifa ruled that the bear is a beast of prey (sab'a) due to its strong resemblance to predators, and therefore it is forbidden to eat.