What is the ruling regarding the purity of animals in life?
Chapter on Utensils
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Ash-Shafi'i rules that all animals are pure in life, with the exception of the dog and the pig. His view on human skin involves two considerations.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa holds that all animals are pure except the pig. The supporters of the view that tanning purifies the hide generally hold that all animals are pure in life, citing the Prophet's statement: 'When the hide is tanned, it has become pure,' which is agreed upon (Muttafaqun 'alayh). They also cite the Hadith where the Prophet asked why the hide of a dead sheep was not utilized after tanning, stating, 'Only its eating is forbidden.' They argue that impurity stems from contact with blood and moisture upon death, which tanning removes, returning the hide to its state in life.