Is meat killed by being struck with a stone (without a sharp edge) or a pellet permissible to eat?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Hunting and Slaughter

Book 56 · Issue 4 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Meat killed by a stone that has no sharp edge or by a pellet is not permissible to eat because it is classified as 'mawqudhah' (that which is beaten to death). This is the position of the general body of jurists. The evidence rests upon the prohibition of the 'mawqudhah' in the Quran (Quran 5:3). Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated regarding what is killed by a pellet: 'Do not eat from the pellet unless you ritually slaughter it.' He also stated regarding an arrow whose blunt side strikes and kills, that it is 'waqidh' (a form of beaten death).

Supporting text

Ibn 'Umar considered that killed by a pellet to be 'mawqudhah'. Similar dislike was reported from Salim, Al-Qasim, Mujahid, 'Ata', Al-Hasan, Ibrahim, Malik, Al-Thawri, Al-Shafi'i, and Abu Thawr. Ibn al-Musayyib permitted it, and this was also narrated from 'Ammar and 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla.