Cultivated Fish
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Q: We are a commercial entity that imports frozen fish from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Among the countries from which we import is ( the Republic of Vietnam ), where we import frozen fillets—being the pure layer of flesh free from bone located beneath the fish and above it—and this type of fish is called: Basa fish (BASA), and its scientific name is (Pangasius). The following are the details regarding it: Common name: Basa (BASA FISH). Scientific name: Pangasius (PANGASIUS FISH). Place of cultivation: Water basins and rivers. Fish weights: Ranging between (300) grams and (900) grams. Type of feed: Plant-based, and the type of the fish's outer skin: Smooth, containing no scales. (An image illustrating the fish is attached). And since we receive questions from some customers regarding the permissibility of eating these fish, given that they grow through fish farms like shrimp farms, tilapia, milkfish, and herring, we need to
know whether there are any texts or legal opinions that forbid this type. It is known that these fish do not belong to the shark family, but rather they are cultivated fish that live on plant-based feed and are subject to medical examinations and regulation of their harvest cycles. They are not imported unless a health certificate is obtained from the Ministry of Health there confirming their safety from diseases, epidemics, and any harmful substances. Furthermore, they are tested in the laboratory in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia upon arrival through the central laboratories for quality and grade, and a certificate of their health safety is issued. We ask you, Your Eminence, to kindly present the matter to the Committee to inform us of the ruling.
A: Fish that live in seas, rivers, or pure waters, whether cultivated or not, and feed on pure substances, are permissible to eat in all their varieties; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Ma'idah 5:96] the verse, and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the sea: Sunan Abi Dawud 83Sahih (Al-Albani) It was narrated by Ahmad and the four [imams], and it was authenticated by al-Bukhari and al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn al-Mundhir and others.
know whether there are any texts or legal opinions that forbid this type. It is known that these fish do not belong to the shark family, but rather they are cultivated fish that live on plant-based feed and are subject to medical examinations and regulation of their harvest cycles. They are not imported unless a health certificate is obtained from the Ministry of Health there confirming their safety from diseases, epidemics, and any harmful substances. Furthermore, they are tested in the laboratory in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia upon arrival through the central laboratories for quality and grade, and a certificate of their health safety is issued. We ask you, Your Eminence, to kindly present the matter to the Committee to inform us of the ruling.
A: Fish that live in seas, rivers, or pure waters, whether cultivated or not, and feed on pure substances, are permissible to eat in all their varieties; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُIts water is pure and what dies in it is lawful food.
هو الطهور ماؤه الحل ميتته
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.