Branding on the cheek of a she-camel
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Fatwa number ( 20337 )
Q: We inform you that branding camels on their faces is widespread among us, with the aim of distinguishing them from the camels of others, and to protect them from being lost or stolen. The branding I am asking about is that which is on the cheek of the she-camel; because there has been a disagreement among us regarding the cheek, and whether it is part of the face or not? Some said: The face is what faces the one opposite it, and the cheek does not face the one looking at the face of the she-camel. Others said: The face includes the cheek, the chin, and the nose. The question, O honorable Shaykh, is: Is it permissible to brand on the cheek of the she-camel? Is the cheek considered part of the face? And do you see that there is a necessity that permits this? Please issue a ruling for us, may you be rewarded, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: Branding livestock on parts other than the face is permissible when the need for it becomes apparent, such as when one wants to brand them with a mark by which they are known to him or to others, and such as branding the camels of the sacrificial offering so that they are recognized by it. Branding is done by cauterizing with fire or by slitting a part of the body of the livestock other than the face, such as the hump or the like, and marking them to the extent of the need without exaggeration in it. What indicates the permissibility of this is what is established in (the two Sahihs) from
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:Mishkat al-Masabih 4079 , and in a narration by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah: Mishkat al-Masabih 4080 , and what indicates this is what al-Bukhari narrated in (his Sahih) from al-Musayyir ibn Makhramah and Marwan , who said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1694, 1695 . As for branding on the face, it is forbidden; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited it and cursed the one who does it, and because the face is the most noble part of the body, whether of a human or of livestock. The cheek of the she-camel and other livestock is considered part of the face, and it is not permissible to brand it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We inform you that branding camels on their faces is widespread among us, with the aim of distinguishing them from the camels of others, and to protect them from being lost or stolen. The branding I am asking about is that which is on the cheek of the she-camel; because there has been a disagreement among us regarding the cheek, and whether it is part of the face or not? Some said: The face is what faces the one opposite it, and the cheek does not face the one looking at the face of the she-camel. Others said: The face includes the cheek, the chin, and the nose. The question, O honorable Shaykh, is: Is it permissible to brand on the cheek of the she-camel? Is the cheek considered part of the face? And do you see that there is a necessity that permits this? Please issue a ruling for us, may you be rewarded, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: Branding livestock on parts other than the face is permissible when the need for it becomes apparent, such as when one wants to brand them with a mark by which they are known to him or to others, and such as branding the camels of the sacrificial offering so that they are recognized by it. Branding is done by cauterizing with fire or by slitting a part of the body of the livestock other than the face, such as the hump or the like, and marking them to the extent of the need without exaggeration in it. What indicates the permissibility of this is what is established in (the two Sahihs) from
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
Anas told that 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 . *This was a custom for the purpose of acquiring a blessing for children. (Bukhari and Muslim.)
غدوت على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بعبد الله بن أبي طلحة ليحنكه، فوافيته وفي يده الميسم يسم إبل الصدقةhe went to visit the Prophet when he was in an enclosure and saw him branding sheep. He thought he said it was on their ears
دخلت على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يسم غنمًا في آذانهاThe Prophet (ﷺ) set out from Medina with over one thousand of his companions (at the time of the Treaty of Hudaibiya) and when they reached Dhul-Hulaifa, the Prophet (ﷺ) garlanded his Hadi and marked it
خرج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في بضع عشرة مائة من أصحابه حتى إذا كانوا بذي الحليفة قلد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الهدي وأشعره
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.