Confused about the Halal status of Swordfish? Get ready to learn why you may have been wrongly led to think otherwise. We’ll clear up the misconceptions and give you a definitive answer, is swordfish halal?
About Swordfish
Swordfish is a unique type of ocean predator commonly found in deep waters across the globe. Like tuna, salmon, and trout, swordfish falls under the category of pelagic fish – large ocean dwellers that migrate along oxygen-rich surface waters.
This magnificent predatory fish has been sought after for centuries by both sport fishermen and commercial fleets alike, due to its highly prized meat that’s often used in high-end restaurants and specialty markets around the world.
Among its notable features include a long, flat bill (rostrum) resembling a sword, hence the name “Swordfish.” Despite being one of the largest edible fishes available for commercial purposes, individuals interested in following a Halal lifestyle wonder if swordfish fits the criteria set by Islamic teachings. We aim to provide an honest evaluation of how this ocean giant fares against these religious rules.
Determining Halal or Haram
According to Islamic law, foods from all sources are considered permissible until proven otherwise through authentic texts.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۘ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَـٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
“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]
If considering whether something is Haram or not according to Islamic rules, prioritize assessing potential harmful effects to personal health.
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]
The passage above clearly urges Muslims to avoid actions that endanger one’s well-being and integrity as defined by Islamic practices.
No substance can be categorized as Halal if it’s detrimental to someone’s overall wellness or violates the core principles behind the concept of what makes things permissible to use.
Moreover, religious doctrine contains specific instructions detailing impermissible items beyond hazardous objects as described in the verse below :
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ
“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; ”
[Al-Maidah/ 5 : 3]
These verses mention meats that Muslims should abstain from rotten flesh, pork, anything dedicated to non-Islamic gods, traumatic injuries (like beating), drowning/electrocution, roadkill, or animals fed on by scavengers — except when properly slaughtered in the Name of Allah.
According to Hadith literature, some terrestrial species, aquatic species, are exempt from earlier rulings and thus considered halal when consumed. You can find the information on the following 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
Another statement by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) reveals that fish & all marine life are lawful to eat.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet (said), concerning the water of the sea :
“Its water is pure (and Purification) and its ‘dead meat’ is permissible (to eat).”
Shahih An Nasa’i
We have learned that certain animals are permitted to be eaten based on our exploration of religious scriptures. However, there are also instances where these living beings must be avoided owing to their classification as Harām. Let us examine this category further.
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 Swordfish Halal?
Swordfish is deemed halal in the context of Islamic jurisdiction, making its intake suitable for your needs without any worries regarding legal status.
Find out more :
Is snapper halal?
Is pelican halal?
Final Thought
When choosing food within your faith, remember that the halal guidelines exist for your protection and spiritual growth. By following the teachings, you can enjoy sustenance while honoring the Creator’s wishes.
We hope this knowledge on Halal food selection helps ensure one practices religion correctly, leading to spiritual development.
Wallahu a’lam (Allah knows best)
FAQ
Is swordfish haram?
No, Swordfish is considered halal (lawful) according to Islamic dietary law.
Is swordfish healthy?
Swordfish contains lots of beneficial nutrients like selenium, niacin, omega-3, etc., but it has fewer calories. It may support overall wellness, particularly with regards to cardiovascular disease and lowering chances of cancer.
Is swordfish expensive?
Swordfish appears quite costly compared to other types of fish. Although there are several reasons why it is more pricey than many alternatives, it ultimately boils down to the difficulty of catching this prized deep-sea creature and the limited supply available for the commercial market.
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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