Question about donkey meat in Islam

When I read 2:173 in the Quran, it states:

He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

However, Muhammad if I am not mistaken prohibited the eating of donkeys.

(5) Narrated Anas: The Prophet reached Khaibar in the morning, while the people were coming out carrying their spades over their shoulders. When they saw him they said, "This is Muhammad and his army! Muhammad and his army!" So, they took refuge in the fort. The Prophet raised both his hands and said, "Allahu Akbar, Khaibar is ruined, for when we approach a nation (i.e. enemy to fight) then miserable is the morning of the warned ones." Then we found some donkeys which we (killed and) cooked: The announcer of the Prophet announced: "Allah and His Apostle forbid you to eat donkey's meat." So, all the pots including their contents were turned upside down. (Book #52, Hadith #234)

Search the word donkey eat in the Hadith (Hadis) Books (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu-Dawud, and Malik's Muwatta)

Donkeys do not to my knowledge fall into either "dead animals" or "blood" or "swine" or "dedicated to other than Allah" categories. Why did Muhammad make prohibited what God did not?

Shukran, wa Allahma3k!

For the same reason Hanafis do not eat horses as well.

It's not only about meat.
There are even funny discussions over Tomatos and I even followed once a discussion about Mangos being haram since they came to Eurasia after Mohamed could have had a chance to express himself about it.

These stories are always good for a little chuckle.

Airmano

Edited by airmano - 15 March 2015 at 2:33pm

Salaam Alaikum, and thank you for the response.

Was the ban temporary, or does it still apply today?

Also, if eating animals that transport people and "have been living in effect as part of the family", then why a ban on eating donkeys and not camels? Or horses, for that matter?

Waalaikum Assalaam

I said it was a temporary ban based on a need at that point of time. Since that ban was temporary the latter part of your question is answered.

Obviously, Muhammad wasn't being very clear when he was teaching people in the field of which animals are permissible to eat, and which animals are forbidden. Muslim jurists have disagreed and continue to disagree on which animals he banned from being eaten, and which ones he didn't.

Interestingly, Muhammad taught that those who make permissible what God made impermissible or those who make impermissible what God made permissible, are guilty of shirk.

The lack of clarity on his part while discussing which animals are permissible and which ones are not, means that many Muslims are being led to commit shirk, including at least some of the jurists discussed above in Maududi's tafsir, since they clearly disagree.

It would be wrong to say that Muhammad PBUH was not being clear. And it would also not be correct to accuse following and latter day scholars to confuse matters.

Obviously, they were all God-fearing people and they had the best interests of the Ummah at heart. They could not have deliberately caused confusion. They meant well. That is the most important thing.

Fiqh, Islamic jurisprudence is a collection of the understanding of well-meaning and learned scholars who gave rulings according to the best of their understanding on matters.

Therefore, the differences in rulings as you have so laboriously posted here are inevitable.

What does the average Muslim do then? Well, he should act as per the Quranic verse - which says, Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things) 49:13

That is to say, he should do what he believes is the right thing to do. Allah SWT is oft-forgiving because he sees the intent.