There are a lot of debates on if all seafood is halal (permissible) or haram (prohibited).

Despite the fact some scholars confirm that all kinds of seafood are permissible (halal), following verse 5:96 of the Qur’an, according to research from the Hanafi school of thought they claim the other way round, it says any other kinds of seafood that are not fish is counted haram (i.e hagfish/clingfishes, shrimp, prawns, crabs)

In this article, you will learn about some kinds of seafood that are consumable according to Islam including some basic facts backing them. Stick with the guide. If you only care about some particular points you can navigate by clicking on the section of your choice

 

Outlines:

• Is Halal Seafood
• Halal types of seafood
• Is Sushi Halal or Haram?
• Is Shellfish Halal or Haram? (Crabs, Shrimps, Prawns, Lobsters, Oysters)
• Is Whale Halal or Haram?
• Is Shark Halal or Haram?
• Is Squid and Octopus Halal or Haram?
• Are Sea Turtles Halal or Haram?
• Is Seahorse halal?
• Are Crocodiles and Alligators Halal or Haram?
• Is Otter and Seal Halal?

 

Are All Seafoods Halal?

Yes, Seafood is considered halal according to “The Qur’an verse 5:96” which states “Lawful to you is what you catch from the sea and use for food as provision for yourself and the travelers”.

Since seafood is considered lawful by the Holy Qur’an and can be used for food as a provision for yourself and travelers.

But that does not broadly indicate that all sea animals are permissible. People generalized classify anything from the sea as halal including seaweeds.

Of course, it surely excludes harmful creatures and plants that are poisonous and like those that cause allergic reactions and dead animals as Islam forbids

Only fish with scales including sharks and rays are considered halal. fishes without scales are categorized as haram and not permissible for Muslims to consume (i.e hagfish, clingfishes, shrimp, prawns, etc)

 

Types of Halal Seafood

 

Is Sushi Halal or Haram?

Yes, Muslims are permitted to eat this Japanese dish only if properly prepared. Sushi is usually prepared with vinegared rice, sugar, salt, and fish like salmon and vegetables. The ingredients used in making sushi are also organic and healthy.

 

Is Aquatic Shelled Fish Halal or Haram? (Crabs, Shrimps, Prawns, Lobsters, Oysters)

Despite being stated in the scripture that Muslims can consume any sea animal, there are different school of thoughts on this.

Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbalis agreed that any creature categorized under shellfish be it mussel fish, oysters, lobsters and so many more are halal.

Hanafi school of thought disagrees, according to them, they stated that only creatures that can be classified as fish is the only permissible sea animal that should be consumed.

According to the fatwa, The chief mufti labeled prawn under the category “Makruh” (abominable).

 

Is Whale Halal or Haram?

It is okay for Muslims to consume meat from this gigantic creature. The whale is a mammal and not a fish.

What makes whales permissible? According to Islam, the whale is still classified as an ocean creature. Accordlying to Qur’an 5:96 says any sea creatures are considered halal.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was informed about this and he approved of it and ate some himself. The evidence for this is an authentic narration in the sahih of Imam al-Bukhari.

 

Is Shark Halal or Haram?

This sea monster is usually featured in many Hollywood Movies and is popularly known for playing the role of being the deadliest sea animal that often attacks humans when it comes in contact.

Interestingly, things are not quite the way they seem to be. It turns out in research that humans are not among their normal diet as they only take on smaller fishes which is normal according to the food chain for sea creatures. Sharks are the most dominant predator and can take on any small-sized fish.

 

Is Squid and Octopus Halal or Haram?

Squid and Octopus can be eaten by Muslims and can therefore be classified as halal animals.

Again, the Hanafi school of thought goes against eating squid and octopus because they are not classified as fish, and they do not have scales. However, it is permissible to consume anything you catch from the sea and use it as a provision of food for yourself if you choose to.

 

Are Sea Turtles Halal or Haram?

Other halal animals are sea turtles which are considered halal according to the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali scholars.

Some of these scholars added an extra clause to the way a turtle should be slaughtered, they must be slaughtered humanely just like halal meat is being slaughtered. This is because turtles have flowing blood in their bodies. In addition, sea turtles are partially terrestrial animals because they crawl on land to lay their eggs and since they spend much time on land and have blood, the rules which are placed on land animals will also apply to them.

 

Is Seahorse halal?

Seahorses do not look like regular fish but it is classified as fish. It is known for its head that looks similar to the head of a horse, that is the secret behind how it derives its name.

They are fully aquatic and can be found in some shallow areas of the sea. Both seahorse and its carcass are halal according to the general fact from the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

There is a narration from Ibn Umar R.Anhuma, he said:

أُحِلَّت لَنا مَيتَتانِ ودَمانِ؛ الجَرادُ والحيتانُ، والكَبدُ والطِّحالُ

“Two types of animals which have died a natural death and two types of blood have been made allowable to us, the two which die a natural death being the fish and the locust, and the two types of the blood being the liver and the spleen.”

 

Are Crocodiles and Alligators Halal or Haram?

It is not permissible to eat crocodiles or alligator meats, these animals are considered land animals with fangs, Islam forbids animals with fangs like that of snakes and hippos. In contribution to that, they spend more time on land than they do with water.

 

Is Otter and Seal Halal?

This group of mammals is not halal, although they stay in both water and on land. this is because they have fangs which are used to hunt their prey, the Islam tradition forbids any meat from an animal with fangs such as snakes, hippos, etc.

 

Conclusion

Most seafood is halal like croaker but not all of them. Almighty Allah (SWT) has made so many provisions for us on the kind of animals that are permissible for our consumption. He has given us animals both in water and on land available for us to cons. Let’s try and stick with the halal ones.

The majority of Islamic scholars have also helped us understand the characterized properties which a halal animal must possess (i.e no animal with fangs, fishes without scale, e.g hagfish and many more)

We hope we have been able to explain, give examples & types, and a few facts on the topic “Is Seafood Halal”.

We pray Almighty Allah keeps guiding us through what we consume, and we are yet to know if they are halal or not.