Is the consumption of domestic donkeys (*al-Humar al-Ahliyyah*) forbidden?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
The prohibition of domestic donkeys is the opinion held by the majority of scholars. Fifteen Companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, disliked it according to Ahmad. Ibn Abd al-Barr stated there is no dispute among contemporary Muslim scholars today regarding its prohibition. The basis for the prohibition is the report from Jabir that the Prophet, peace be upon him, prohibited the meat of domestic donkeys on the Day of Khaybar, while permitting the meat of horses, as agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim (Muttafaqun 'alayh). Furthermore, it is reported from the Prophet, peace be upon him, via authentic and good chains from Ali, Abdullah ibn Umar, Abdullah ibn Amr, Jabir, Al-Bara', Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, Anas, and Zahir al-Aslami, that he prohibited them. Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa reported that the Messenger of Allah absolutely forbade them because they consume filth (*al-'ithra*), which is reported in the agreed-upon collections.
Supporting text
Ibn Abbas and Aisha, may Allah be pleased with them, held that it was permissible based on the apparent meaning of the verse, {Say, "I do not find within what was revealed to me for one who would eat it anything forbidden unless it be carrion or forbidden blood or the flesh of swine} [Quran 6:145], stating everything outside of this is lawful. Aisha, when asked about the mouse, stated it was not forbidden, citing this verse. Ikrimah and Abu Wa'il did not see harm in eating donkeys. A concession was reported from the Prophet, peace be upon him, to Ghālib ibn al-Harith to feed his family with fat domestic donkeys during famine, stating the prohibition was due to them wandering around the village boundaries.