Is it permissible to consume the flesh of predatory animals possessing fangs?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
The flesh of every beast of prey that possesses a powerful fang used for attacking and crushing is forbidden, with the exception of the hyena. This prohibition is the view held by Malik, Al-Shafi'i, Abu Thawr, the companions of the Hadith scholars, Abu Hanifa and his companions. The evidence for this prohibition is the hadith narrated by Abu Tha'labah Al-Khushani, stating that the Prophet forbade the eating of every beast of prey with a fang, which is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh). Furthermore, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said that eating every beast of prey with a fang is unlawful, a hadith affirmed as authentic and agreed upon as sound by Ibn Abd al-Barr. This explicit text specifically limits the general permissibility stated in the verses regarding what is lawful to eat.
Supporting text
Al-Sha'bi, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, and some companions of Malik considered it permissible, basing their view on the general meaning of Quran 6:145, which states that nothing unlawful has been revealed regarding food, and Quran 2:173, which limits prohibitions to carrion, blood, swine's flesh, and what is dedicated to other than Allah.