Is the squirrel (Sinjab) lawful to consume?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Hunting and Slaughter

Book 56 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

There is a possibility that the squirrel is permissible to consume. This is because it resembles the jerboa, and when an issue is ambiguous between prohibition and permissibility, permissibility prevails because it is the established default, and the general scope of the religious texts supports it.

Supporting text

Al-Qadi ruled that the squirrel is unlawful (Haram) because it tears/bites with its canine teeth, thereby resembling the rat (Jiradh).