The ruling on killing animals for mere play

The questioner says: Is there a sin on a person for killing wild animals, whether tame or untame, since I see some people who have no occupation but hunting animals, and he is not hungry, yet he hunts foxes, rabbits, hyenas, wolves, jackals, gazelles, and birds of all kinds. How is this, when Islam commands gentleness toward animals?
The answer: If it is for a legitimate Shari'ah interest, such as to eat or to sell, like hunting partridges, gazelles, or rabbits, and other such permissible things to eat or sell, then there is no harm. However, if he hunts them to kill them and leave them, that is not permissible; the least of its states is severe dislike. So one should not hunt an edible animal except for a benefit, either to eat it, feed it to the poor, give it as a gift, or sell it. As for playing, it is not permissible; this is play that a believer should not do. It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he forbade hunting except for food. Meaning: except to be eaten and benefited from. As for other forbidden animals, if they harm people, he is rewarded for killing them. But if they do not harm people, it is not prescribed for him to pursue them while they are not harming anyone, whether it is a fox or otherwise. However, if it has harmed people, it is killed, like the fox that hunts their chickens or pigeons, or the wolf that eats their sheep; it is killed. But to pursue wild beasts that do not harm anyone and do not damage anyone, that is not permissible due to the lack of benefit and lack of interest. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.