Killing Horses
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Fatwa No. ( 927 )
Q: At the equestrian training center, there are some horses that they wish to get rid of , either because of their advanced age or because of a disability that prevents them from continuing training, or something similar. The custom followed in getting rid of them was shooting them with bullets. Is this permissible in the Shari'ah or not?
A : It is not hidden that it is permissible to eat horses according to the correct view of the madhhab, and this is the view of the companions and those who agreed with them among the scholars; because of what is in (the two Sahihs) from Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said:Bulugh al-Maram 12:3 , and what is (in them) Sahih Muslim 1942a , and in a narration by al-Daraqutni : Sunan ad-Daraqutni 27:165 . And it is established that they are among what is permissible to eat, so it is not permissible to slaughter them by shooting them with bullets except under a condition, such as if they become unruly and one is unable to slaughter them except by that means. As for if slaughtering them according to the lawful method of slaughter is not difficult, then it is not permissible to slaughter them except by that method; because of the relief of the slaughtered animal and the excellence in slaughter that the lawful method of slaughter entails. If the slaughtered horse
is of a type that is permissible to eat while healthy, it is possible to give it to a Muslim who will eat it. If no one is found who will accept it, it is fed to animals, such as lions and the like. And if it is of a type that is not permissible to eat while healthy, its meat is disposed of after slaughtering it with the lawful slaughter by any means that ensures that. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: At the equestrian training center, there are some horses that they wish to get rid of , either because of their advanced age or because of a disability that prevents them from continuing training, or something similar. The custom followed in getting rid of them was shooting them with bullets. Is this permissible in the Shari'ah or not?
A : It is not hidden that it is permissible to eat horses according to the correct view of the madhhab, and this is the view of the companions and those who agreed with them among the scholars; because of what is in (the two Sahihs) from Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said:
On the Day of Khaibar, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited eating the flesh of domestic asses, but permitted horse flesh.
نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم خيبر عن لحوم الحمر الأهلية، وأذن في لحوم الخيلAsma' reported: We slaughtered a horse and ate it during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).
عن أسماء قالت: نحرنا فرسًا على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأكلناه ونحن بالمدينةIt wanted to die, so we slaughtered it and ate it
أرادت أن تموت فذبحناها فأكلناهاis of a type that is permissible to eat while healthy, it is possible to give it to a Muslim who will eat it. If no one is found who will accept it, it is fed to animals, such as lions and the like. And if it is of a type that is not permissible to eat while healthy, its meat is disposed of after slaughtering it with the lawful slaughter by any means that ensures that. 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.