Is the jerboa (Yarbu') lawful (Halal) to consume?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
The jerboa is lawful (Halal) to consume. This view is held by Ahmad, 'Urwah, 'Ata' al-Khurassani, Al-Shafi'i, Abu Thawr, and Ibn al-Mundhir. The evidence supporting permissibility is that 'Umar ruled regarding it with a *jafrah* (a young sheep or goat, implying a ruling of allowance or general permissibility in this context). Furthermore, the default status of things is permissibility unless a prohibition is established.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifah deemed the jerboa unlawful (Haram). This ruling is also narrated from Ahmad, Ibn Sirin, Al-Hakam, Hammad, and the Companions of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y), based on the rationale that the jerboa resembles the mouse (Fār).