Is the sale of silkworms and their seeds permissible?
Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
The sale of silkworms (dood al-qazz) and their seeds (bazruh) is permissible. The basis for this ruling is that the silkworm is a pure animal whose possession is valid because what is extracted from it is owned, which resembles domesticated livestock. Furthermore, the silkworm and its seed are pure and beneficial, thus their sale is permitted, analogous to the sale of cloth. The great benefit derived from them is significant, as silk, which is among the noblest garments of this world, originates from them.
Supporting text
There is a narration from Abu Hanifa stating that the sale is permissible only if the silkworm has silk (qazz) with it; otherwise, it is not permissible because its essence cannot be utilized, placing it in the category of harmful insects. Another view suggests that the sale of the silkworm seed is not permissible.