It’s a common question that people ask, “is shark halal or haram?” Well, the answer may not be as black and white as you think. In this article, we’ll explore the Islamic ruling on eating shark meat.
Is shark halal to eat?
Yes, shark meat is halal to eat. It’s because a shark is considered a fish (or seafood) and therefore according to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it’s lawful for you to eat.
Now let’s dive deeper into this problem because there is some discussion going on around this topic.
Is shark halal to eat in Islam?
Yes, the shark is halal. In Islam, there is a general consensus that all fish and seafood are halal to eat. This includes shark meat. The main reason for this ruling is because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Everything that lives in water is lawful for you.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5257)
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that there is no such thing as “fish” in Islam. There is only seafood. This is because the Arabic word for fish, samak, can also refer to other sea creatures such as shrimp, crabs, and lobster.
With that said, let’s look at the Islamic ruling on shark meat.
The general rule of thumb is that all seafood is halal unless there is evidence to the contrary. This is because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “All that lives in the sea is lawful for you.”
However, there are some scholars who argue that shark meat is specifically haram because it falls under the category of kitabiyyat. Kitabiyyat refers to animals that have characteristics of both predators and prey.
The main evidence used to support this opinion is a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Two types of animals I have not made lawful for you: those with fangs and those with claws.”
Based on this hadith, some scholars argue that shark meat is haram because sharks have both fangs and claws.
Other scholars, however, argue that this hadith does not apply to sharks because they do not have both fangs and claws at the same time. Sharks only have fangs when they are attacking prey and they only have claws when they are scavenging for food.
Thus, these scholars argue that shark meat is halal because sharks do not fit neatly into the category of kitabiyyat.
At the end of the day, the ruling on shark meat is a matter of scholarly debate. If you are unsure about whether or not it is permissible for you to eat shark meat, it is best to consult with a qualified Islamic scholar.
Why is shark halal?
Shark is halal because it is considered a fish (or seafood) and therefore according to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it’s lawful for you to eat.
Are there any Muslims that believe shark is haram?
Yes, there are some Muslims who believe shark is haram. These Muslims typically argue that shark meat is specifically haram because it falls under the category of kitabiyyat. Kitabiyyat refers to animals that have characteristics of both predators and prey.
The main evidence used to support this opinion is a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Two types of animals I have not made lawful for you: those with fangs and those with claws.” Based on this hadith, some scholars argue that shark meat is haram because sharks have both fangs and claws.
Is shark halal in Hanafi Islam?
Yes, the shark is halal in Hanafi Islam. The Hanafi school of thought is one of the four main Sunni schools of jurisprudence. According to the Hanafi school, the general rule of thumb is that all seafood is halal unless there is evidence to the contrary.
Is shark halal in Shia Islam?
There is no definitive answer on this matter since Shia Islam does not have a centralized authority that can issue rulings on Islamic law. However, based on the general consensus of scholars, it is most likely that the shark is halal in Shia Islam.
Is shark halal in Sunni Islam?
Yes, the shark is halal in Sunni Islam. The general rule of thumb is that all seafood is halal unless there is evidence to the contrary.
Is shark halal in Maliki Islam?
Yes, the shark is halal in Maliki Islam. The Maliki school of thought is one of the four main Sunni schools of jurisprudence. According to the Maliki school, the general rule of thumb is that all seafood is halal.
Is shark halal in Hanbali Islam?
Yes, the shark is halal in Hanbali Islam. The Hanbali school of thought is one of the four main Sunni schools of jurisprudence.
Is shark halal in Shafei Islam?
Yes, the shark is halal in Shafei Islam.
Comments from our readers…
“Shark meat is very delicious and definitely halal as it comes from the sea!” – Abbas
“have seen people eating sharks and some say it’s haram. But I think that shark is definitely halal according to the Prophet Muhammad.” – Aisha
“From what I’ve gathered, it seems like the ruling on shark meat is a matter of scholarly debate. If you are unsure about whether or not it is permissible for you to eat shark meat, it is best to consult with a qualified Islamic scholar.” – Fatima
Conclusion: Is eating shark halal or haram?
The ruling on whether or not a shark is halal is a matter of scholarly debate. However, the general consensus amongst scholars is that shark is indeed halal. If you are unsure about whether or not you should eat shark meat, it is best to consult with a qualified Islamic scholar in your Mosque.
