Is game permissible to eat if a hunter names God (Tasmiyah) and shoots, but an arrow other than his strikes and kills the game?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Hunting and Slaughter

Book 56 · Issue 5 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Hunting with arrows and any sharp projectile is permissible without scholarly dispute. This falls under the general permission granted by the Almighty's command: "So hunt as you are commanded" (Quran 5:2). Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: "Whatever you hunt with your bow and mention the name of God upon it, then eat." It is also evidenced by the Hadith concerning the wild donkey, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: "It is only sustenance that God has provided for you," referring to the game killed by his lance (Muttafaqun 'alayh).

Supporting text

Al-Shafi'i holds a nuance regarding a dog: if a dog is sent for a specific game and catches another during its course, it is permissible. However, if the dog deviates from its intended path to catch another, there are two narrations concerning its permissibility.