If you’re someone who enjoys eating meat, you may be wondering if certain types of meat are considered halal. One type of meat that people may question the halal status of is the cardinal bird. Is Cardinal halal to eat? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide more information about the cardinal bird.
About Cardinal
The cardinal bird is a small bird that is native to North America and belongs to the family Cardinalidae. These birds are generally red in color, with males being bright red and females being a reddish-brown color.
They are typically found in forests, woodlands, and gardens, and they are known for their beautiful birdsong. Cardinals are not game birds and are not typically hunted for food. However, some people may come across dead cardinals and wonder if it’s okay to eat them.
General Ruling About Food
According to Islamic teachings, all types of food are considered halal (permissible) by default. The Quran encourages Muslims to consume what is lawful and good for their well-being. However, when it comes to haram (forbidden) food, Allah has provided detailed instructions in the Quran and through the Prophet Muhammad’s hadiths.
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]
We can find detailed explanations about prohibited food in Surah Al-Maidah verse 3 as follows :
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]
Prohibited food includes carrion, blood, pork, and meat slaughtered in the name of other than Allah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also describes very well about prohibited animals.
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”
[Hadith Muslim no. 1934]
Is Cardinal Halal?
To summarize the points discussed earlier, we can conclude that cardinals fall under the category of animals that are considered halal (lawful) to eat. This means that according to Islamic teachings, consuming cardinal meat is allowed.
However, if someone were to come across a dead cardinal, it would still not be halal to consume. Eating animals that are already dead is not considered halal, as the animal must be killed in a specific way to be considered halal.
It’s important to note that eating any type of animal without following halal guidelines is considered haram in Islam. This means that it is not permissible and is considered a sin.
Find out more :
Is chicken halal?
Is crane halal in Islam?
Final Thought
Cardinals are considered halal (lawful) to eat according to Islamic teachings, and if you want to eat cardinal eat, you must follow the Islamic teaching on slaughtering animals beforehand.
Wallahu a’lam (Allah knows best)
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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