Question about donkey meat in Islam |
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TG12345
Senior Member Male Joined: 16 December 2012 Status: Offline Points: 1146 |
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Posted: 18 February 2015 at 7:25pm |
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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! |
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The Saint
Senior Member Joined: 07 November 2014 Status: Offline Points: 832 |
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A practical explanation is as follows_
As for donkeys, as far as I know this is based on one of two possible reasons both of which are dependent on circumstances. The first is where people needed the donkeys for transporting equipment and people, and in such circumstances they were instructed to not eat the donkeys. This is clearly just a pragmatic temporary ban. The second refers to not eating animals that have been living in effect as part of the family. This means that when we have a domesticated animal living among us, then it would be a violation of our implied agreement with that animal to kill it and eat it. Also, most importantly, you should read the Quran and see how many times Allah SWT has said Ateeullah, Atee ul rasool. "Yaa ayyuhal lazheena aamanu atee�ullaha wa attee�ur Rsoolahu wa laa tawallau �anho wa antum tasma�oon" [O you who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and turn not away from him while you are hearing.> (8:20) Islam came to free humanity from all kinds of oppressions. For the primary responsibility of the Prophet (PBUH), according to the Quran, was to release humanity from those man-made chains "� make lawful to them the good things of life, and forbid them the bad things, and lift from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them [aforetime>. Those, therefore, who shall believe in him, and honor him, and succour him, and follow the light that has been bestowed from on high through him � it is they that shall attain to a happy state (7:157)." The Prophet (PBUH) accomplished this happy state in his lifetime. Shirk (taking partners with Allah by obeying man-made laws) was removed from the society. And if we want to attain to a happy state, we must emulate this part of the Prophet�s sunnah. |
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Nausheen
Moderator Group Female Joined: 10 January 2001 Status: Offline Points: 4251 |
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For the same reason Hanafis do not eat horses as well.
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<font color=purple>Wanu nazzilu minal Qurani ma huwa
Shafaa un wa rahmatun lil mo'mineena wa la yaziduzzalimeena illa khasara.[/COLOR] |
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TG12345
Senior Member Male Joined: 16 December 2012 Status: Offline Points: 1146 |
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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?
How can God's messenger be obeyed if he wasn't being clear in his instructions? Earlier, you yourself stated that the ban may have been temporary. Yet other Muslims believe it applies even today. If you read Maulana Maududi's tafsir of 6:145, you will see that Muslim jurists disagreed with each other and with some of Muhammad's companions, as to what food is lawful and what isn't. There appears to be a little difference in the wording of this verse and that of v. 173, Al-Baqarah. In the latter verse it is simply `blood' that is forbidden, but in this verse it is the `blood' that has been shed, when an animal is wounded or slaughtered. The addition of the word masfuh (that has been shed) merely explains the nature of the `blood' and does not make any difference in the "Commandment" itself. Likewise in v. 3 of Al-Ma'idah, some other things besides these four have also been mentioned-the animals that have been strangled or beaten to death, or killed by a fall, or mangled by a beast of prey. This, too, does not make any difference in the "Commandment" in the two verses, because this is an explanation which shows that the animals which are killed in that way should also be considered as "carrion." Now let us consider the various opinions of the Jurists. Hadrat `Abdullah bin `Abbas and Hadrat `A'ishah were of the opinion that, out of the animal food, only these four were unlawful and all others were lawful. But there are several Traditions to the effect that the Holy Prophet prohibited other animals besides these four or held them in detestation, e.g., domestic donkeys and fanged beasts of prey and birds with claws. Therefore most jurists do not consider the prohibition to be confined to these four things only, but extend it to others; then there is also a difference of opinion among the jurists about the prohibition or otherwise of certain animals. For instance, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik and Imam Shafi`i declare the domestic donkey to be unlawful, but there are others who assert that the domestic donkey, is not unlawful and say that it was prohibited by the Holy Prophet on one occasion only for some special reason. The Hanafi s consider the carnivorous beasts and birds of prey and the animals that live on dead flesh to be absolutely unlawful, but according to Imam Malik and Auza`i, the birds of prey are lawful and Laith considers the cat to be lawful. According to Imam Shafi i. only those carnivorous beasts are unlawful that (like the lion, wolf, tiger) attack man. According to ' Ikrimah, the crow and the badger are both lawful. Then according to the Hanafi s, all crawling creatures are unlawful, whereas Ibn AbiLaila, Imam Malik and Auza' i consider the snake to be lawful. A careful and critical study of the above makes it quite clear that, in reality, only these four things mentioned in the Qur'an are unlawful and that there are certain other animal foods that are detestable in various degrees. Therefore those things, which according to authentic Traditions were held in detestation by the Holy Prophet, are almost unlawful, but those things about which there is a difference of opinion among the jurists, their detestation is doubtful. As far as personal detestation of certain things by some people is concerned, the Islamic Law does not compel anyone to eat what one dislikes. The same applies to the detestation of certain things by some groups or nations. Conversely, the Law does not allow any person or community or nation to force others to consider as unlawful anything that they detest, or to .prohibit its use to those who consider them unlawful. http://englishtafsir.com/Quran/6/index.html#sdfootnote121sym 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. |
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airmano
Senior Member Joined: 31 March 2014 Status: Offline Points: 884 |
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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 |
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The Saint
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You are right, such stories are good ONLY for a chuckle.
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The Saint
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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. |
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TG12345
Senior Member Male Joined: 16 December 2012 Status: Offline Points: 1146 |
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Banning the consumption of donkeys because they transported things and/or were seen as "part of the family" makes no sense, since the exact same thing was true of camels and horses.
Then what happened? Either Muhammad gave unclear instructions, or some of his followers changed them. Either donkeys were only at one time haraam, or they are haraam always. Why are there different opinions among Muslim scholars on this? Did you realize that Muhammad's wife and Ibn Abbas stated that the only haraam animals are found in the Quran (ie they did not say donkey consumption is not haraam), while others like Abu Hanifa stated it is haraam, yet others stated that they were only haraam for a certain time? Who is right??? What other way can this be explained other than either a) unclear instructions b) people changing or adding or taking away from what Muhammad said?
Sure, but the Quran only Muslims also mean well. So do many non-Muslim Christians and Jews and Hindus and Sikhs, all who fear God and want to do good in the world. The question remains- why all this confusion about what food is forbidden and what food is allowed?
Why are they inevitable? Could not the instructions have been given more clearly, like they were for example with alcohol and pork?
Where does 49:13 say anything about what one believes to be right? What about 4:59, which states: O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result. How are Muslims supposed to follow those in authority over them, if those in authority disagree about what the Messenger said? And how can they turn to the Messenger, when the unclarity of his message caused the confusion of the ones in authority in the first place? Furthermore, how can you obey what the Messenger said when we know he said some things that just weren't true? (1) Narrated Abu Dhar: The Prophet asked me at sunset, "Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates Itself underneath the throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah: "And the sun Runs its fixed course For a term (decreed). that is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing." (36.38) (Book #54, Hadith #421) (1) It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) one day said: Do you know where the sun goes? They replied: Allah and His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is asked: Rise up and go to the place whence you came, and it goes back and continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the throne and falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is asked: Rise up and return to the place whence you came, and it returns and emerges out from it rising place and the it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything ( unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the throne. Then it would be said to it: Rise up and emerge out from the place of your setting, and it will rise from the place of its setting. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said. Do you know when it would happen? It would happen at the time when faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith. (Book #001, Hadith #0297) Search the word sun throne in the Hadith (Hadis) Books (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu-Dawud, and Malik's Muwatta) According to what Muhammad taught, the sun stops moving between each time it rises and sets, because it stops gliding and falls prostate beneath God's throne in the place where it rests. We know that the sun rises in most areas of the world, every 24 hours. According to Muhammad, once a day at least, the sun stops moving. Yet we know that the sun is in continous motion. This is something that even kids are expected to know. We�re always on the move! Even when you�re standing still, you�re moving! You are moving because the Earth and everything in our solar system is constantly moving. Our solar system includes the Sun, nine planets and their Moons, comets and asteroids. These objects are sometimes called celestial bodies, and they are constantly moving, too. At the center of it all is the Sun. It takes the Sun 25 days to spin, or rotate, completely around. The Earth, which is the third planet from the Sun, takes 24 hours to rotate. This is what causes day and night. As the Earth rotates, it also moves, or revolves, around the Sun. The Earth�s path around the Sun is called its orbit. It takes the Earth one year, or 365 1/4 days, to completely orbit the Sun. http://www.kidseclipse.com/pages/a1b3c0d0.htm Not to mention that the sun does not have a "rising place", as what we call sunrise is dependent on the movement of the earth, and not the sun. The sun is always "rising" at some point on the earth. Edited by TG12345 - 16 March 2015 at 8:06pm |
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