Islamic Ruling on Hunting with Animals Other Than Dogs

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]