Branding livestock for identification
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The third question of Fatwa No. ( 3548 )
Q 3: There is evidence in the Sunnah prohibiting the branding of animals or livestock on their faces. We, the Bedouins, are compelled to brand livestock to distinguish them from other animals, as they mix with others' livestock in the pastures, and branding prevents thieves from stealing them and makes it difficult for them to sell them. Is this permissible for us?
A 3: Yes, it is permissible for the purpose mentioned in the question, provided it is not on the face; based on what the two Shaykhs (may Allah have mercy on them) narrated in their (Sahihayn) from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:Mishkat al-Masabih 4079 . In a wording by Ahmad and Ibn Majah (may Allah have mercy on them), from him: Sahih Muslim 1479a . As for branding on the
face, it is not permissible; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 3: There is evidence in the Sunnah prohibiting the branding of animals or livestock on their faces. We, the Bedouins, are compelled to brand livestock to distinguish them from other animals, as they mix with others' livestock in the pastures, and branding prevents thieves from stealing them and makes it difficult for them to sell them. Is this permissible for us?
A 3: Yes, it is permissible for the purpose mentioned in the question, provided it is not on the face; based on what the two Shaykhs (may Allah have mercy on them) narrated in their (Sahihayn) from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
one morning he took ‘Abdallah b. Abu Talha to God’s messenger for him to chew something and rub his palate with it,* and found him with a branding-iron in his hand branding the camels of the sadaqa
غدوت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فوافيته في يده الميسم، يسم إبل الصدقةI visited Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and he was lying on a mat
دخلت على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يسم غنمًا في آذانهاface, it is not permissible; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.