Is the Parrot Halal or Haram? An Islamic Perspective
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Volume 1, Page 865❖ Question:
What is the ruling according to Islamic scholars and jurists regarding the permissibility of eating a parrot? Is it considered ḥalāl or ḥarām? Kindly explain and be rewarded.
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
When discussing whether a parrot or any other bird is ḥalāl or ḥarām, it is essential to first understand a fundamental principle in Islamic law:
General Principles Regarding Birds in Sharīʿah:
◈ A bird is considered ḥarām (impermissible) only if there exists a clear textual evidence from the Qur'an or Sunnah that explicitly mentions the bird by name and declares it ḥarām.
Examples include:
◄ Crow
◄ Vulture
etc.
◈ All birds that fall under the general category of predatory birds — referred to in the ḥadīth as:
"كل ذي مخلب من الطير"
“Every bird that hunts with talons (claws) is impermissible.”
Such birds are ḥarām to eat, as they kill and prey using their talons.
◈ Additionally, any bird that the Sharīʿah has explicitly commanded to be killed, is also considered ḥarām.
❖ The Ruling on the Parrot (ṭūṭī):
Applying the above principles:
✔ There is no textual evidence in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah that prohibits the consumption of the parrot, nor is there any command to kill it.
✔ Research confirms that the parrot is not a predatory bird with talons (i.e., dhū makhlab);
although it uses its claws to hold food, it does not hunt or kill prey, and thus does not fall under the category of predatory birds.
Scholars’ Views:
Imām al-Damīrī, in his famous zoological encyclopedia Ḥayāt al-Ḥayawān, recorded differing opinions regarding the permissibility of eating the parrot:
◈ Some scholars consider it ḥalāl.
◈ Others consider it ḥarām.
However, the opinion declaring it ḥarām is weak and not strongly supported,
whereas the opinion declaring it ḥalāl is stronger and more sound in light of established Sharīʿah principles.
For further detailed study, one may refer to:
◄ Al-Mughnī by Ibn Qudāmah
◄ and other fiqh sources.
Summary:
According to the author’s understanding, the parrot is not ḥarām, and eating it is permissible.
This is what I understand. And Allah knows best what is correct.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
