Fatwa ID: 06932

Answered by: Maulana Abdul Malik

Question:

What is law of shariah about birds (which birds are halal and which are haram). Is parrot halal or haram? And can we eat crows or not?

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

Answer:

A Muslim is required to consume only halal food.

Allah (Exalted) states in the Quran; “So eat from the good, lawful things which Allah has provided for you, and be grateful for Allah’s favours, if you (truly) worship Him (alone)”. (Quran: chapter 16, verse 114)[1]

In light of the above, a Muslim should be vigilant and ensure only halal food is consumed.

Now with regards to birds, those birds which are predatory and consume the flesh of other animals are unlawful for consumption.

However, non-predatory birds would be lawful to consume. (Al Nutf Fii al Fatawa, pg 231-232, vol 1)[2]

Therefore, it would be permissible to consume parrot’s meat because it is not a predatory bird. However it would be unlawful to consume crow’s meat because they consume carrion. (Al Nutf Fii al Fatawa, pg 232, vol 1) [2]

In light of the above, parrot is lawful to consume and crows are unlawful.

[2] وأما الطيور فإنها على نوعين: نوع منها ذوات المخلب و نوع لا مخالب لها. فأما التي لا مخالب لها فإنها محللة كلها إلا ان الغربان مكروهة لأكلها الجيف. وأما ذوات المخالب فإنها محللة عند مالك محرمة في قول أبي حنيفة و أصحابه و أبي عبد الله لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم (إن الله حرم كل ذي ناب من السباع و ذي مخلب من الطيور)

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best

Written by Maulana Abdul Malik

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham