Chapter on Hunting and Slaughtering

'Mukallibeen' (those who train hunting dogs) Thus, apart from dogs, their catch is not lawful to eat unless you reach it and slaughter it properly."

Hadith.4122 - And in another narration, Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Eat whatever the dog has eaten from, even if it has eaten two-thirds of it. Eat whatever the dog has eaten, even if nothing remains of it except a single piece."

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a dog that escaped and was not released by its owner, yet it hunted and its owner found it after it had killed the prey. Should he eat from it? Imam (as) said: 'No. If it hunted while the owner had pronounced the name of Allah (swt), then he may eat from it. But if it hunted without the name of Allah (swt) being mentioned, then he should not eat from it. And this is from what Allah (swt) has said: "Of what you have trained among hunting animals, teaching them as Allah (swt) has taught you" (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:4)

Abu Abdullah (as), was asked about an animal shot with an arrow, and its owner finds it the next day. Should he eat from it? Imam (as) said: "If he knows that his shot is what killed it, then he may eat it, provided that he had mentioned the name of Allah (swt) (at the time of shooting)."

Abu Abdullah (as), said: "Whatever is caught by a snare and has part of it severed, then it is considered dead. However, if you find the rest of its body alive, then perform the proper slaughtering (Zabiha) and eat from it."

I said to Abu Abdullah (as): "I shoot an arrow, but I do not know whether I mentioned the name of Allah (swt) (Bismillah) or not." Imam (as) said: "Eat, and there is no problem." I said: "I shoot, and it disappears from my sight, then I find my arrow in it." Imam (as) said: "Eat as long as nothing has been eaten from it. But if something has been eaten from it, then do not eat it."

Hadith.4130 - Muhammad ibn Ali al-Halabi asked Imam (as) about hunting when a man strikes the prey with his sword, pierces it with his spear, or shoots it with his arrow, and he had mentioned the name of Allah (swt) (Bismillah) at the time of doing so. Imam (as) said: "Eat it, and there is no problem with it."

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who shoots an arrow at a game animal, and it strikes it sideways and kills it. He had mentioned the name of Allah (swt) (Bismillah) when he shot the arrow, but the arrowhead did not wound it. Imam (as) said: "If the arrow that struck it is what killed it, then when he finds it, let him eat it."

"If he has no other arrows except the 'Mi'rad' and mentioned the name of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, over it, then he may eat from what it killed. However, if he had other arrows besides it, then he should not."

Hadith.4136 - And it was narrated: "If it pierced, it may be eaten, but if it did not pierce, it may not be eaten."

Hadith.4139 - Commander of the Faithful (as) said regarding a hunted animal that was found with an arrow in it and was dead, but it was not known who killed it. Imam (as) said: "Do not eat it." And Imam (as) said: "Whoever wounds an animal with a weapon and mentions the name of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, upon it, and then the game remains for a night or two, and he finds it without a predator having eaten from it, and he knows that his weapon killed it, then he may eat from it, if Allah (swt) wills."

I asked Imam (as) about a man who shoots at game and brings it down, then the people rush to it and cut it up. Imam (as) said: "Eat it."

"If you release a hawk, a falcon, or an eagle and it kills, do not eat it until you properly slaughter it."

Hadith.4144 - Imam (as) said: "If you send your hunting dog after a game and you catch up with it but do not have a blade to slaughter it with, then let the dog kill it, and you may eat from it."

I asked him and said: "May Allah (swt) rectify your affairs, what birds are permissible to eat?" Imam (as) said: "Eat whatever flaps its wings, and do not eat what glides." I said: "What about eggs found in thickets?" Imam (as) said: "If both ends are equal, then do not eat it, but if the two ends are different, then eat it." I asked: "What about water birds?" Imam (as) said: "Eat whatever has a crop, and do not eat what does not have a crop." In another narration, Imam (as) said: "If the bird glides and flaps, but its flapping is more than its gliding, then it may be eaten; but if its gliding is more than its flapping, then it should not be eaten. From water birds, what has a crop or a spur may be eaten, and what lacks them should not be eaten."

I asked Abu al-Hasan (as) about water birds that eat fish, whether they are permissible to eat. He (as) said: "There is no harm in it, eat them."

Hadith.4151 - Abdullah ibn Sinan asked Abu Abdillah (as) about the eggs of water birds. Imam (as) said: "Whatever resembles the eggs of chickens in shape, then eat it."

Hadith.4152 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Eat from the fish that has scales, and do not eat from it that which has no scales."

Hadith.4154 - Abd al-Rahman ibn Sayabah asked him about fish that are caught, placed in something, and then returned to the water where they die. Imam (as) said: "Do not eat it, because it died in what is its source of life."

I asked him about a fish that leaps out of the water, falls onto dry land, and struggles until it dies. I said: "Can I eat it?" Imam (as) said: "Yes."

"What his hand has done is permissible, so there is no harm in eating what was caught in it."

Hadith.4161 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Do not eat the catfish, nor the eel, nor the zabir, nor the tafiy, which is that which dies in the water and floats on the surface of the water."

Hadith.4162 - It has been narrated: "If someone finds a fish and does not know whether it is permissible to eat or not, then its tail should be split at the base. If the color turns green, it is not permissible to eat; but if it turns red, then it is permissible to eat. And if a snake swallows a fish and then spits it out while it is still alive and wriggling, if its scales have peeled off, it should not be eaten; but if its scales have not peeled off, it may be eaten."

"There is no harm in eating what is slaughtered with a stone if no iron is available."

"A group of people came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and said to him: 'A cow of ours overpowered us and became difficult to handle, so we struck it with a sword.' Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) instructed them to eat it."

I asked Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) about a man who was slaughtering an animal, and the knife moved too quickly and severed the head completely. Imam (as) said: "It is a valid slaughtering, and there is no harm in eating it."

"If the blood flows, then eat."

Hadith.4171 - Abu Basir asked Abu Abdillah (as) about a sheep that is slaughtered but does not move, yet a lot of fresh blood flows from it. Imam (as) said: "Do not eat it. Indeed, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) used to say: 'If the leg kicks or the eye blinks, then eat it.'"

"Do not eat from what has been killed by a predator, nor from that which has been beaten to death, strangled, fallen from a height, or gored, unless you find it alive and slaughter it properly."

regarding an animal that is slaughtered and has a fetus in its womb: "If it is fully formed, then eat it, for its slaughtering is the slaughtering of its mother. But if it is not fully formed, then do not eat it."

Hadith.4179 - Al-Halabi asked him about the slaughtered animal of the Murji'ite and the Haruri. Imam (as) said: "Eat, and be at ease and settled until whatever is to happen occurs."

Hadith.4180 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Do not eat the slaughtered animal of a Jew, a Christian, a Magian, or anyone who opposes the religion, except if you hear him mention the name of Allah (swt) over it." And in the book of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), it is written: "A Magian, a Christian, or the Christians of the Arabs should not slaughter the sacrificial animals." Imam (as) also said: "You may eat their slaughtered animal if they mention the name of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, over it."

I said to Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), 'Relate to me a narration and dictate it to me so that I may write it down.' Imam (as) said: 'Where is your memory, O people of Kufa?' I said: 'So that no one disputes it with me later.' I then asked: 'What do you say about a Magian who says 'In the name of Allah (swt)' and slaughters an animal?' Imam (as) said: 'Eat.' I said: 'What if a Muslim slaughters but does not mention the name of Allah (swt)?' Imam (as) replied: 'Do not eat. Indeed, Allah (swt), the Exalted, says: 'So eat of that upon which the name of Allah (swt) has been mentioned' (Surah Al-An'am 6:118) and He (swt) also says: 'And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah (swt) has not been mentioned.' (Surah Al-An'am 6:121)'"

"Eat if it is in the markets of the Muslims, and do not ask about it."

"Whoever does not mention the name of Allah (swt) when slaughtering, do not eat (from it)."

"If a woman performs the slaughter properly and mentions the name of Allah (swt), then there is no issue with eating it. Likewise, the boy and the blind person, if they are guided, may also perform the slaughter."

A LAMB OR A YOUNG GOAT THAT SUCKLES FROM THE MILK OF A SOW OR A WOMAN. Hadith.4194 - And Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, said: "Do not eat the meat of a lamb that has suckled from a sow."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about a young goat that had nursed from the milk of a sow until it grew up and matured. A man then bred it among his flock, and offspring were produced from it. Imam (as) said: "As for the offspring that you specifically know came from it, do not approach them. But as for those you do not recognize, they are like cheese, so eat and do not inquire about them."

Hadith.4198 - And it has been narrated: "The mutated creatures (al-masukh) did not remain alive for more than three days. These were transformed as a lesson, and Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, forbade eating them."

I said to Abu Abdullah (as): A man from the followers of Abu Al-Khattab forbade me from riding Bukt (a type of camel) and eating the meat of 'musarwal' pigeons (pigeons with feathered legs). Abu Abdullah (as) replied: 'There is no harm in riding the Bukt, drinking their milk, eating their meat, or eating the meat of musarwal pigeons.' However, Imam (as) forbade riding the Jallalat (animals that feed on filth) and drinking their milk, and Imam (as) said: "If any of their sweat touches you, then wash it." And regarding a 'jallalah' she-camel, Imam (as) said: 'It should be confined for forty days before it becomes permissible for slaughter and consumption.' As for a 'jallalah' cow, Imam (as) said: 'It should be confined for thirty days.'

Hadith.4201 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as), said: "Everything in the sea that has a counterpart on land which is permissible to eat is also permissible to eat. And everything in the sea that does not have a permissible counterpart on land is not permissible to eat."

"Do not eat the eel (al-jirri) and do not eat the spleen (al-tihal)."

I heard Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), say: "Indeed, when Ibrahim (as), peace be upon him, intended to slaughter the ram, Iblis came to him and said: 'This belongs to me.' Ibrahim (as), peace be upon him, replied: 'No.' Iblis said: 'I have a share in it,' Ibrahim (as), peace be upon him, responded: 'No.' Iblis then began naming each part of the sheep, but Ibrahim (as), peace be upon him, rejected him until he finally mentioned the spleen (al-tihal). At that point, Ibrahim (as), peace be upon him, gave it to him. Therefore, it is considered the morsel of Satan." Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "If meat is placed with the spleen on a skewer, the meat may be eaten if it is placed above the spleen. However, if it is placed below the spleen, it should not be eaten. Its dripping (fat and juices) may be consumed because the spleen is enclosed in a membrane, and nothing comes out of it unless it is punctured. If it is punctured, its contents will leak out, and the dripping below it should not be consumed. If a permissible fish is placed on a skewer with a catfish or any other fish that is not permissible to eat, the fish with scales may be eaten if it is placed above the catfish or the non-permissible fish on the skewer. However, if it is placed below the catfish, it should not be eaten."

"That which is thrown out by the water from the fish and that which the water recedes from should not be eaten, for that is considered abandoned."

I said to Abu Abdullah (as): "May I be your ransom! What do you say about eating 'Kan'at'?" Imam (as) replied: "There is no harm in eating it." I said: "But it has no scales." Imam (as) replied: "Indeed, it does! However, it is a fish with bad manners that rubs against everything. If you look at the base of its ears, you will find scales."

Hadith.4211 - Sa'eed Al-A'raj asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a pot containing camel meat into which an ounce of blood had fallen. Imam (as) said: "Yes, it can be eaten because the fire consumes the blood."

Hadith.4214 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Whoever is compelled by necessity to eat from a dead animal, blood, or the flesh of a pig, yet refrains from eating any of it until he dies, then he is considered a disbeliever."

I asked Imam (as): "Why did Allah (swt) make wine, dead meat, blood, and the flesh of pigs forbidden?" Imam (as) replied: "Indeed, Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, did not forbid these things to His servants while permitting everything else out of mere preference for what He (swt) made lawful or out of disdain for what He (swt) forbade. Rather, Allah (swt) created the creatures and knew what sustains their bodies and what benefits them, so He (swt) made it lawful for them and permitted it. And He (swt) knew what harms them, so He (swt) prohibited it for them. However, He (swt) made it lawful for one in necessity during a time when his body cannot survive without it, and He (swt) commanded him to take from it only as much as is necessary, and no more." Then Imam (as) said: "As for carrion (dead meat), no one who consumes it experiences anything but a weakened body, diminished strength, and interrupted offspring. The one who eats carrion does not die except suddenly. As for blood, it causes the one who consumes it to develop jaundice, wild behavior, and hardness of the heart, along with a lack of compassion and mercy. Such a person cannot be trusted with his close ones or those who accompany him. As for flesh of pigs, Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, transformed some people into various forms, such as pigs, apes, and bears. Then He (swt) forbade the consumption of these deformed beings so that no benefit would be derived from them, and their punishment would not be taken lightly. As for wine, He (swt) forbade it due to its effects and its corruption." Then Imam (as) said: "Indeed, a habitual drinker of wine is like an idol worshipper. It causes trembling, destroys one's dignity, and drives one to commit forbidden acts, such as spilling blood and engaging in fornication. When intoxicated, he cannot be trusted even with his own household, as he loses his senses. Wine increases its drinker in nothing but evil."

Hadith.4220 - Sa'id al-A'raj asked Imam (as) about the leftover (drink or food) of a Jew or a Christian: "Is it permissible to eat or drink from it?" Imam (as) said: "No."

"I asked him about the vessels of the People of the Book." Imam (as) said: "Do not eat in their vessels if they eat in them the dead (carrion), blood, or the flesh of swine."

I said to Abu Abdullah (as): 'I am a shoemaker, and our work cannot be done without using pig hair to sew with.' Imam (as) said: 'Take a single bristle from it and place it in a clay pot, then light a fire underneath it until its grease is removed. After that, you may work with it.'"

Hadith.4225 - And in the narration of Abdullah ibn al-Mughirah from Burd, he said: I said to Abu Abdullah (as): 'May I be your ransom! We work with pig hair, and sometimes a man forgets and prays while having something of it in his hand.' Imam (as) said: 'It is not proper for him to pray while having something of it in his hand.' And Imam (as) also said: 'Take it and wash it. If it has grease, do not use it. But if it does not have grease, then you may use it, and wash your hands after handling it.'"

Messenger of Allah (swt) prohibited eating meat raw, meaning uncooked. The Prophet (sw) said: "It is only eaten by wild beasts." Hariz said: "This means until it is altered by the sun or fire."

Hadith.4233 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "No type of crow, whether a 'Zagh' or any other kind, is permissible to eat, and nothing from snakes is permissible to eat."

"Meat nourishes the flesh, and fish melts the body. Gourd increases intelligence, and eating eggs frequently increases offspring. No sick person has sought healing with anything better than honey. And whoever consumes a morsel of fat expels an equal amount of illness from his body."