Fatwa ID: 01866

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Why are fish eaten without being slaughtered? Or why is it eaten even if dead

Answer:

It is permissible to consume fish without being slaughtered. This is because Allah has said in the Holy Quran

“Lawful to you is the pursuit of water game and its use for food for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel” (Surah Maaidah v.96)

Furthermore, Saaiduan Ibn Umar relates that Allah’s Messenger said: “Made lawful for you are the flesh of two dead animals and two types of blood. As for the two dead animals, they are the locust and the fish. And as for the two types of blood, they are the blood of the spleen and the liver.” (Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Ibn Majah &Sunan al-Daraqutni)

However, a fish that dies naturally without an external cause and begins to float on the water is considered Haram.

Saaiduna Jabir narrates that Allah’s Messenger said: “From what the sea casts out or leaves behind you may eat, but from what dies at sea and floats to the surface you may not eat.” (Sunan Abi Dawud & Sunan Ibn Majah)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham