Question:
Asalaamu Aliekum Shaykh Hisham and all who make this site avalible to us.
I would like to know what is the proper way to hunt with a gun?
Is it permitted to hunt for sport but give your hunt to someone who could do with the game you have hunted for food?
Thank you and pray for me.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
If you shoot a rifle when hunting birds or rabbits or deer, and you say the name of Allah when pulling the trigger, then it will be halal, even if you find it already dead, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whatever causes the blood to flow and the name of Allah has been mentioned over it, then eat.” And he said: “If you release your (hunting) dog and mention the name of Allah over it, then eat.” But if it is still alive and able to move then you must slaughter it properly and mention the name of Allah over it when slaughtering it. If you do not do that and it dies, then it becomes haram for you. But attention must be paid to mentioning the name of Allah when pulling the trigger, because if you do not mention the name of Allah then it is haram to eat it, even if you forget, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whatever causes the blood to flow and the name of Allaah has been mentioned over it, then eat.” And he said: “Do not eat of that over which the name of Allah has not been mentioned.”
Imam Senad Agic, Ph.D.
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
