Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

A man from Banu Murrah narrates that I presented myself before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and I said: O Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him! Most of my wealth (livestock) consists of donkeys. Can I eat from them? He, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Do they not graze in the wilderness and do they not eat from the trees?" I said: Yes, indeed. He, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Then eat from them.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ghalib bin Dhiakh. He says: I submitted, "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)! We have been struck by famine, and my healthy livestock are donkeys." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Eat from your healthy livestock. I had disliked them because of their wandering and eating filth."

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila that the meat of donkeys was considered undesirable (makruh) due to the need for them as beasts of burden.

Some people from Muzainah report that Hazrat Ghalib bin Abjar said that I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. I said, "Only donkeys are left from my wealth?" The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Feed your family from the substantial part of your wealth." And he said: "I only dislike for you the wandering, dung-eating (animal)."