Question
What do the scholars of religion and the muftis of clear law say regarding this issue: Is the parrot (tuti) a permissible bird or a forbidden one? Explain, so that you may be rewarded.
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
It is necessary to keep in mind a basic principle regarding the lawfulness or unlawfulness of the parrot or other birds:
◈ Only that bird will be forbidden regarding which there is an explicit text in the Book and the Sunnah, meaning that the bird has been named and declared forbidden.
For example:
◄ Crow
◄ Vulture
etc.
◈ Similarly, all those birds are forbidden that fall under the general rule of “کل ذی مخلب من الطیر”, namely:
“Every bird that hunts with its talons is forbidden.”
◈ Furthermore, those birds are also forbidden regarding which the Shariah has ordered that they be killed.
The Shar’i Ruling on the Parrot
In light of the principle stated above, when we reflect, it becomes clear that:
◈ There is no text in the Shariah regarding the parrot that declares it forbidden or orders its killing.
◈ Moreover, research has established that the parrot is not dhu makhlab, meaning it does not hunt with its talons.
◈ However, it does grip and eat with its talons, but by this it does not enter the category of dhu makhlab.
Opinions of the Scholars
In the famous book “Hayat al-Hayawan” of Allama al-Damiri, differing opinions regarding the parrot are reported:
◈ According to some scholars, the parrot is permissible.
◈ According to others, it is forbidden.
However, the view that it is forbidden is not strong,
while the view that it is permissible is stronger and more correct.
For further detail:
◄ Ibn Qudamah‘s book “al-Mughni”
◄ and other related books
will be beneficial to study.
Conclusion
In the view of the humble writer, the parrot is not forbidden.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب۔
