What is the ruling regarding eating game that was shot and subsequently lost track of, but later found dead with the hunter's missile still in it?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
It is permissible to eat, which is the famous position attributed to Ahmad, as well as the view of Al-Hasan and Qatadah. This is supported by the Hadith narrated by 'Uday ibn Hatim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'If you shoot game and find it after a day or two, with nothing on it except the mark of your arrow, then eat it.' Another Hadith states: 'Whatever your arrow incapacitates (as-sa’q), eat it, and whatever it causes to grow (an-nama’ - i.e., dies later), do not eat it.' The basis for permissibility is that the wound from the arrow is the established cause for its permissibility, and any potential impediment is doubtful, which cannot negate certainty.
Supporting text
There are differing reports from Ahmad: if the game is missing for a day, it is permissible; if missing overnight, it is not to be eaten. Malik holds similar conflicting reports. Another report from Ahmad suggests that if the game is missing for a long period, it is not permissible, but if the period is short, it is permissible, based on Ibn 'Abbas' saying: 'If you shoot and cause immediate death (iqsa'), eat it; if you shoot and find your arrow in it that same day or night, eat it; but if it stays away overnight, do not eat it, as you do not know what happened to it afterward.'