Fatwa ID: 04655

Answered by: Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh

Question:

Can Muslims eat kangaroo meat?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The land animals that have been clearly declared Harām by Allah cannot be consumed. Allāh says:

“Forbidden to you (for food) are Al-Maytatah (the dead animals – cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns – and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal – unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) – and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on stone altars…” (Surah al-Ma’idah: 3)

In addition to this, it is not permissible to consume any fanged predictor or taloned bird. This because Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allāh be pleased with him) reported that:

“Allah’s Messenger (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prohibited the eating of all fanged beasts of prey, and all the birds having talons”(Sahih Muslim No. 1934)

Likewise, it is not permissible to consume the meat of domesticated donkeys, mules, and horses.

Khalid Ibn al Walid (May Allāh be pleased with him) narrated that:

“The Messenger of Allah (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade the flesh of horses, mules and donkeys.” (Sunan an-Nasai No. 4332)

The Hanafi Jurist, Imāmal-Mawsuli, states that things are considered lawful unless there is evidence to establish their impermissibility.

Therefore, unless there is a text to prohibit a certain land animal, the general rule is that land animals that have flowing blood in them and they survive on grass and leaves, and do not prey on other animals, are Halal to consume. Based on this it can be said that it is permissible to consume Kangaroo meat.

Reference:

Al-Ikhtiyar Li Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, Vol.5, p18, Dar al-Marifah

Only Allah knows best

Written by Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham