❖ Islamic Ruling on Keeping Hunting Birds ❖
Ruling on Keeping Non-Edible Birds
Regarding birds that are not consumed as food, such as falcons, hawks, and eagles—if they are kept for the purpose of benefit, particularly for hunting, then the apparent position of the scholars is that there is no harm in keeping them.
This is comparable to keeping a hunting dog, which is also permissible. Despite the fact that a hawk or falcon has talons, it is still considered useful for hunting purposes, and therefore, keeping such birds is lawful.
The same ruling applies to eagles or trained falcons, provided they are trained and kept for the purpose of benefiting from their hunting ability.
[Ibn Bāz: Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā wa al-Maqālāt: 19/41]
Key Points Summarized:
① Keeping non-edible birds like falcons, hawks, and eagles is permissible in Islam.
② The condition is that these birds are used for hunting or other beneficial purposes.
③ This is analogous to the permissibility of keeping trained hunting dogs.
④ Despite being clawed creatures, if they are useful and trained, they are allowed.
⑤ The permissibility is based on the principle of derived benefit and utility.
