If you find yourself wondering, is raven halal or allowed under Islamic law? Then you might want to take a closer look at the source materials of sharia, the religious legal code of Islam.
What if you can’t access them, or, say, you don’t have enough capabilities about sharia? Islamic scholars or guides (like in this article) are your best friend.
Key Takeaways
| 📌 Raven Meat in Islam: According to Islamic rules, eating raven meat is generally not allowed (haram) because ravens have sharp claws and they eat carrion, which is forbidden in Islam. |
| 📌 Islamic Dietary Guidelines: In Islam, most food is considered halal (permissible) unless specifically prohibited. The Quran and Hadith encourage eating clean and healthy food. |
| 📌 Conservation of Ravens: Ravens are facing environmental threats, and efforts are needed to protect their populations. |
About Raven
Ravens are part of the Corvid family, which includes crows, magpies, jays, choughs, jackdaws, and rooks. They have black feathers and distinctive long beaks and wings, making them easy to identify at a glance. These intelligent birds often live in groups called flocks, but they can also survive on their own.
They are known for their loud, harsh croaking calls and are often associated with death and omens due to their presence around battlefields and tombstones in mythology and folklore. Like other members of the corvid family, ravens are highly social and adaptable, able to thrive in many different environments despite facing threats from habitat loss and hunting.
While ravens are often lumped together with crows as just another member of the corvid family, their physical characteristics set them apart from your average tree-dwelling crow. Larger, leaner, and sporting wedge-shaped tails as well as sharply hooked beaks, their flight patterns showcase a level of agility that makes them stand out.
Just take one quick glimpse at these majestic animals gliding through the sky and it becomes pretty apparent – that these master flyers indeed belong within the wider category of avian predators. Next to hawks and eagles these creatures may seem like puny newcomers, yet it won’t stop us calling them members of the same exclusive club that only permits entry to airborne hunters.
Ravens don’t mind waiting until darkness descends upon their surroundings before striking. During daytime though you’ll still find plenty of opportunities to observe ravens picking off dead animals left over after feeding times are done and gone.
This means you can expect encounters whether you prefer exploring open fields during dusk or checking out sites inhabited by carrion and decay.
General Ruling for Food
From an Islamic perspective, it is important to note that all food items are deemed halal or permissible unless explicitly stated otherwise. This understanding is based on the guidance from the Quran and Hadith which promotes eating wholesome, nutritious, and clean food.
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.”
In contrast, consuming prohibited substances referred to as haram is sternly discouraged since doing so goes against divine directives given to believers.
Explanations about prohibited foods can be discovered in the holy scripture, the Quran, in particular verses such as Surah Al-Maidah Verse 3.
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَٱلْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَٱلْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ
“Forbidden to you are carrion, blood, and swine; what is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah; what is killed by strangling, beating, a fall, or by being gored to death; what is partly eaten by a predator unless you slaughter it; and what is sacrificed on altars.“
Food that has been declared haram or impermissible to consume by Muslims based on Islamic teachings, comprises elements such as carrion, blood, pork, and meat not sacrificed in the name of God.
Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) conveyed which creatures were regarded as impure or forbidden for consumption.
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”
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)”
As a rule of thumb, according to Shariah, all animals must fulfill two key conditions: both domestication (not wild animal or beast) and being slaughtered properly by trained professionals are mandatory criteria for deeming an animal eligible for consumption.
Is Raven Halal?
Raven has sharp claws to kill its prey, and raven eats carrion which is forbidden in Islam. According to the hadith provided above, the consumption of raven meat is generally haram (prohibited).
Find out more :
Is peacock halal in Islam?
Is seagull halal?
Final Thought
While the majority of Islamic scholars consider raven meat as haram, ravens play a significant role in cultural practices around the world, particularly in Norse mythology and Native American spirituality. They also hold important positions in literary works and popular culture.
Ravens face various threats to their survival due to environmental changes and human actions, conservation efforts are needed to maintain their populations.
Wallahu A’lam (Allah knows best)
FAQ
Is raven meat halal?
No, raven meat is considered haram. As a Muslim, it is highly recommended to consume halal-only food.
Is Raven endangered?
No, raven populations are currently increasing throughout the majority of the species.
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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