Is the game hunted by trained beasts of prey other than dogs permissible to eat?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Hunting and Slaughter

Book 56 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The game hunted by any beast of prey that can be trained and used for hunting, such as cheetahs (fuhud) or trained birds of prey, is permissible to eat, taking the same ruling as game hunted by a trained dog. This view is supported by Ibn Abbas, Tawus, Yahya ibn Abi Kathir, Al-Hasan, Malik, Al-Thawri, Abu Hanifa, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, Al-Shafi'i, and Abu Thawr. Ibn Abbas interpreted the verse, "And those birds of prey which you have taught" (Quran 5:4), to include trained dogs, cheetahs, falcons, and similar animals. The evidence is a narration from 'Adi, who stated that he asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about the game hunted by a goshawk, and the Prophet replied, "If it keeps it for you, then eat it." Furthermore, any beast of prey commonly used for hunting and capable of being trained is analogous to the dog.

Supporting text

It is reported from Ibn Umar and Mujahid that hunting is only permissible with dogs, based on their interpretation of the verse, "What you have taught of the birds of prey, training them as Allah has taught you" (Quran 5:4), which they interpret to mean training dogs (mukallabin).