Is Hunting Restricted to Dogs Only?
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Scholarly Opinions
- Imam Mālik رحمه الله: All trained hunting animals — such as dogs, lions, leopards, and falcons — are like trained dogs in ruling.
- Mujāhid رحمه الله: Hunting is not permissible with any animal other than a dog.
[Nayl al-Awṭār 5/210]
Preferred Opinion (Rājiḥ)
The view of Imam Mālik رحمه الله is stronger.
However, if the prey is caught by an animal other than a dog, slaughtering it is necessary before eating.
Evidences
① Qur’anic Evidence:
إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ
“Except what you slaughter (properly).” (Al-Mā’idah: 3)
② Hadith Evidence:
وما صدت بكلبك غير المعلم فأدركت ذكاته فكل
“If you hunt with your untrained dog and manage to slaughter the game (before it dies), then eat it.”
[Bukhari 5478, Book of Slaughtering and Hunting: Chapter on Hunting with a Bow; Muslim 1930]
