Hadiths on Lawful and Unlawful Animals and Birds

Islam > Hadiths > Lawful and Unlawful Animals and Birds

16 explained prophetic hadiths on "Lawful and Unlawful Animals and Birds": Arabic text, translation, explanation and lessons, with authenticity grade and references.

Short answer

This category gathers 16 hadiths on the lawful and unlawful animals: the meat of the horse allowed and that of the domestic donkey forbidden, the locusts and the fish eaten, the dead animals forbidden for sale, the camels fed on dung and the meat of which one does not know whether the Name of Allah was pronounced. The case of the lizard, left aside by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) out of dislike, is also reported. It notably reads: "Whatever is cut from an animal while it is alive, then it is dead flesh".

Updated on 24 September 2026 at 12:34 AM

The list of hadiths on Lawful and Unlawful Animals and Birds

Authentic hadith We chased a rabbit at Marr Azh-Zhahrān. The people ran after it but they got tired. Authentic hadith O Messenger of Allah, is it forbidden? He said: No. Yet it is not found in the land of my people, and I feel that I have no liking for it. Khālid said Authentic hadith We were hosted by Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) and he asked for the food to be served and it had chicken meat in it. Authentic hadith We participated with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in seven battles wherein we ate locusts. Authentic hadith We slaughtered a horse and ate it at the time of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Authentic hadith The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade eating the flesh of domestic donkeys and permitted that of horses. Authentic Indeed, Allah and His Messenger have forbidden selling alcohol, dead animals, swine, and idols Authentic hadith It is sustenance that Allah brought out for you. Do you have anything from its meat with you, so that you would feed us? We sent some of its meat to t Authentic forbade (eating the flesh of) all carnivorous animals that have fangs and all birds that have talons Authentic hadith The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade riding the camel that feeds on dung as well as drinking its milk Authentic hadith Umm Hufayd, Ibn ‘Abbās's aunt, sent some dried yogurt, ghee (butter), and a mastigure (sand lizard) to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be Authentic hadith Some people said: O Messenger of Allah, meat was brought to us by some people, and we are not sure whether the name of Allah has been mentioned on it Authentic hadith Two kinds of dead meat and two kinds of blood have been made lawful for you. The two kinds of dead meat are fish and locusts, and the two kinds of blo Authentic hadith Whatever is cut from an animal while it is alive, then it is dead flesh Authentic hadith The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered to kill geckos, saying: They used to blow into [the fire] on Ibrahīm Authentic hadith If anyone kills a gecko in the first strike will have one hundred good deeds recorded for him; and with the second strike lesser than that and with th
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حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل Allah is sufficient for us, the best guardian

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ