Are you curious about whether angelfish, that beautiful fish that swims gracefully among water plants, is considered halal under Islamic law? Look no further! This post will delve deep into the subject, and get ready to learn all about angelfish and its place in the halal community.
About Angelfish
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are tropical freshwater aquarium fish native to South America. They include over 1,500 species of cichlids, known for their diverse colors, shapes, and sizes. Due to their beauty, angelfish became popular aquarium fish around the globe and can be found in many home tanks as well as public aquariums.
However, when discussing the question “Is angelfish halal?”, there might still exist confusion within the Muslim community regarding the inclusion of this majestic animal under Sharia guidelines. Let us explore their categorization as farmed animals and examine if this impacts halal acceptability according to various interpretations among Islamic scholars.
General Ruling for Food
Allah has provided humanity with rules about eating in order to help us stay close to Him. It’s important to think carefully about consuming only appropriate foods to maintain spiritual purity.
The holy books like the Quran and Hadith contain guidance meant to inspire moral actions, such as abstaining from certain ingredients that could be damaging either physically or spiritually. Breaking these sacred rules often distances individuals from Allah, jeopardizing personal growth towards becoming better servants of our Creator.
Following dietary laws ensures our souls stay nurtured alongside protecting the body.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَـٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌ
“O humanity! Eat from what is lawful and good on the earth and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. He is truly your sworn enemy.”
[Al-Baqarah/2:168]
To discern if something is disallowed (Haram) under Islamic dietary laws, turn to verse #195 in Chapter Al-Baqarah and verse #3 in Chapter Al-Maidah of the Quran.
وَأَنفِقُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلۡقُواْ بِأَيۡدِيكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلتَّهۡلُكَةِ وَأَحۡسِنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
“And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loves those who do good.
[Al-Baqarah/ 2 : 195]
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ
“It is forbidden for you (to eat) carrion, blood, pork (and what) slaughtered in the name of other than Allah, those who are suffocated, those who are beaten, those who fall, those that are gored and are eaten by wild animals, except those that you could slaughter”
[Al-Maidah/ 5 : 3]
Allah forbids us to do destruction including consuming food and drink which sooner or later results in death or causes us to fall ill. So that Allah forbids everything that harms the body, even though it is pure.
The Quran also mentions specific types of meat which are deemed impure, including rotten, carrion, blood, pork, dying or already deceased creatures, as well as animals partly fed on by other animals.
Despite being generally regarded as haram according to Islamic scripture, there 2 exceptions of carcasses for being halal. Specifically, the hadith records two instances where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) gave his approval to eat fish or locust carcasses as stated in the hadith :
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Two kinds of dead meat and two kinds of blood have been permitted to us. The two kinds of dead meat are fish and locusts, and the two kinds of blood are the liver and spleen.”
Shahih Sunan Ibnu Majah
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) additionally explained which types of animals fell under the category of prohibited food sources.
كُلُّ ذِي نَابٍ مِنَ السِّبَاعِ فَأَكْلُهُ حَرَامٌ
Narrated Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon Him) said :
“Every beast with fangs is forbidden to eat”
[Hadith Muslim no. 1933].
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ نَهَىرَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- عَنْ كُلِّ ذِى نَابٍ مِنَ السِّبَاعِوَعَنْ كُلِّ ذِى مِخْلَبٍ مِنَ الطَّيْرِ
“From Ibnu Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, forbade from every wild animal that has sharp teeth and claws (predators)”
[Hadith Muslim no. 1934]
Is Angelfish Halal?
Eating angelfish is considered halal (permissible) according to Islamic law as long as it does not result in any harm to the body due to ingesting poisonous substances. Please consult ichthyologist before deciding to consume.
Find out more: Is basa fish halal?
Final Thought
Muslims can feel safe to eat angelfish because it is halal (permissible) on one condition, it is not resulting any harm to the body. However, pursuing alternative protein sources reduces potential negative effects associated with overfishing and disruptive aquatic habitats.
Wallahu a’lam (Allah knows best)
FAQ
Is angelfish meat halal?
Yes, as long as not resulting any harm to the body.
Is angelfish edible?
Certain species like French angelfish are known for public consumption in certain areas.
Is angelfish aggressive?
Angelfish exhibit aggressive behavior towards others of their kind, creating tension in the tank when kept together. As dominant personalities emerge, these fish attempt to assert control over their surroundings. For best results, caregivers should prioritize sufficient space and ample hiding spots to allow each individual to manage stress levels and develop positively.
I spend three enriching years at Darul Ulum Islamic Boarding School. Under the guidance of knowledgeable scholars, I delved into various aspects of Islamic studies.
From clarifying dietary guidelines and financial transactions to addressing ethical dilemmas, my content will be tailored to serve as a reliable resource for Muslims striving to align their lives with Islamic principles.
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