Recorded by Imam Abu Dawud in his Sunan from Abd al-Rahman ibn Shibl (Allah be pleased with him).

It only commands and prohibits that which is in the best interests of the human being.

The human mind however, due to it being very limited and restricted, may not be able to understand the logic behind every ruling.

It may not be able to comprehend properly why a particular ruling is given, but Allah Most High- the Merciful and All-Knowing- is the best to decide what is beneficial and harmful for us, for He is the one who created us.

The Sacred Law (Shariah) of Islam that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) came with from Allah differentiated between a living and a dead animal.

Certain animals that were harmful to the welfare of humans were also prohibited, such as pigs, dogs, cats and wild animals.

Thus, the animals that have been prohibited for consumption by Shariah is due to the fact that they are harmful for human consumption, whether we realize and understand this or otherwise.

Thus, all sea-animals would also be included in this general prohibition.

However, fish has been exempted from this general ruling due to the explicit mention of its permissibility by the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him give him peace).

It will be permitted to eat a fish even without slaughtering it according to the rules of Shariah.

Also, a donkey is exempted from this general ruling, in that its meat in considered Haram for consumption.

Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad (Allah have mercy on them both) consider it Halal, and it is said that Imam Abu Hanifa also retreated to this opinion.

Thus, it would be permitted to consume horse-meat, although better to avoid.

However, with regards to donkeys and mules, He mentions that they are for riding and adornment (zeenah).

Had consumption of these animals been Halal, Allah Almighty would surely have mentioned it.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him give him peace) ordered a caller to announce to the people: Allah and His Messenger forbid you to eat the meat of donkeys, for it is impure.

Sahih al-Bukhari, no: 5208).

If the mother is a donkey, then it would be definitely Haram.

If the mother is some Halal animal such as a cow, it would be completely Halal, and if the mother is a horse, then the rules of eating horse-meat would apply.

See: Radd al-muhtar).

Radd al-Muhtar, 6340).

Thus, if the mother is a Halal animal, the offspring would also be Halal, such as a mule whose mother is a cow.

If however, the mother is a Haram animal, the offspring would also be Haram, such as a mule whose mother is a donkey.

It should be noted here that the meaning of Halal is merely that one may eat of the animal, but there are separate rules with regards to slaughtering and hunting these animals, for which one may refer to previously posted articles or the books of Fiqh.

Failure to comply with these rules may well render a Halal animal Haram.

Others however, dont permit its consumption, for they dont consider prawns to be from the fish family.

List Of Haram