What are the criteria for an animal to be considered 'trained' (Mu'allam)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
The fourth condition mandates that the predatory animal must be trained, which is undisputed based on the Quranic verse permitting game caught by trained animals (Quran 5:4) and the Hadith of Abu Tha'labah. Training requires three criteria to be met repeatedly until it becomes conventionally recognized as trained: the animal must pursue when sent, cease when restrained, and refrain from eating the catch. The minimum established repetition for this is three times.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i's companions did not specify a number of repetitions, as there is no fixed text; they set the limit by what becomes conventionally understood as training. It is reported from Abu Hanifah that two repetitions suffice. Al-Sharif Abu Ja'far and Abu Al-Khattab state that one instance is sufficient, as training in any craft does not require repetition. A view from Rabi'ah and Malik holds that refraining from eating is not required, based on a narration of Abu Tha'labah where the Prophet peace be upon him said to eat even if the dog ate. However, the ruling requiring the dog to refrain from eating is preferred due to the Hadith of 'Adi ibn Hatim, which is agreed upon and provides the reason: otherwise, it is feared the dog only caught it for itself.