What is the ruling regarding an egg found fully formed inside a chicken that died?

Chapter on Utensils

Al-Mughni

Book of Purification

Book 2 · Issue 1 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a hen dies and an egg with a hardened shell is found inside it, the egg is pure. This is the opinion held by Abu Hanifa, some Shafi'is, and Ibn al-Mundhir. The justification is that although the egg was inside the dead animal, it is considered a deposited item, not intrinsically connected to the carcass. Furthermore, since the creature producing it creates something similar to its origin (i.e., another bird), it resembles a living offspring emerging from a dead animal. The aversion shown by some Companions is considered merely a detestation (*tanzihi* aversion), based on dislike rather than impurity.

Supporting text

Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ibn Umar, Rabi'a, Malik, Layth, and some Shafi'is disliked it, asserting that it is a part of the hen. They consider the aversion to be one of prohibition (*tahrim*).