Why Are Some Animals Declared Ḥalāl and Others Ḥarām? A Comprehensive Islamic Answer
Reference: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, Page 553
❖ The Question
Why has Allah made some animals lawful (ḥalāl) and others unlawful (ḥarām)?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Allah ﷻ tests mankind in every aspect of life:
❀ Sitting and rising
❀ Eating and drinking
❀ Wearing and removing clothes
❀ Marriage and mourning
❀ Trade and business
❀ Farming and agriculture
❀ Governance and authority
❀ Social and communal dealings
❀ Economic conditions
❀ Wealth and poverty
❀ Sickness and health
❀ Travel and management of the household
❀ Worship and daily transactions
In other words, man faces tests in every dimension of life.
✔ The Wisdom Behind Ḥalāl and Ḥarām
When we ask, “Why has Allah declared one thing ḥalāl and another ḥarām?”, the reality is that:
- Modern science and research have already confirmed that what Allah declared ḥarām is indeed harmful either physically or spiritually.
- Details are vast, but the principle is clear: Ḥarām things bring harm, ḥalāl things bring benefit.
- Our duty is to trust Allah ﷻ — that He only prohibits what is truly harmful, whether the harm is apparent or hidden.
Whoever does not place trust in Allah ends up humiliated.
✔ Answering Futile Objections
Some say:
“If someone makes wine, what sin is upon him? Whether one drinks it or not is up to the consumer!”
Such reasoning is shameful. Allah ﷻ alone is the true Owner and Creator. He created this universe as a test. He has the absolute right to command, forbid, and test us.
But no human being has the right to test others in this way. If someone tries, he himself is already under test. To put humans in Allah’s place is to challenge divine authority.
Such people are stripped of wisdom, for they attempt to transfer Allah’s unique authority to others and thereby destroy their own intellect.
✔ A Point of Reflection
People often say:
“A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.”
Perhaps those who raise such objections are openly moving towards hostility against Islam, whether they realize it or not. In reality, such questions are nothing but baseless and foolish.
✿ Conclusion
- Allah ﷻ has declared some animals ḥalāl and others ḥarām as part of His divine test.
- What He prohibited is harmful; what He permitted is wholesome.
- Trust in Allah’s wisdom is required, and questioning such decrees in a mocking or rebellious manner is a sign of ignorance and arrogance.
ھذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
