Most-asked question
Are prawns halaal?
41 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 6 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Jamiat KZN, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Miftahul Falaah). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
The Ulama differ. At least one of the fatawa quoted below says there is a difference of opinion on this question. Read the answers in full, and see how each Darul Ifta answers.
“The answer to your question is as follows: With regards to prawns there is a difference of opinion amongst the Ulama, one group of Ulama say that it is Halaal and the other group say that it is Makrooh Tahreemi. We are of the opinion that prawns are Halaal. Amongst the Ulama who believe that they are permissible are :”
“There is a difference of opinion pertaining to the permissibility of prawns. One group of Ulama hold the view that it is permissible while another group believe it is not permissible.”
“There is a difference of opinion amongst the Ulema regarding the reality of prawns, whether it falls under the category of a fish or not. Allamah Dimyari Rahmatullahi Alaihi (a Shafi scholar) has written in Hayaatul-Hayawan that prawns belong to the fish family. If this research proves to be correct, then prawns will be Halaal.”
“There is a difference of opinion pertaining to the permissibility of prawns. One group of Ulama hold the view that it is permissible while another group believe it is not permissible.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Eating prawns and crabsMiftahul Falaah · 30 Jan 2026
- Is eating prawns Halaal or Makrooh?Ask Imaam · 10 Feb 2025
- Consuming prawnsIbn Masood · 2 Jan 2022
- Consuming Squid, Prawns, Crayfish, Calamari And CrabsAzaadville · 25 Oct 2021
- Ruling on trimming beard & sea foods, prawns, calamari?Jamiat KZN · 10 Sep 2015
- PrawnsMufti Online · 7 Mar 2018
- Can I trim my beard for it to look neat and what is the ruling on sea foods; prawns, calamari?Ask Imaam · 8 Sep 2015
- Is eating prawns haalalJamiat KZN · 1 Jun 2015
- Eating prawnsMufti Online · 24 Dec 2017
- Qirat in Salaah,Are prawns and squid specifically permissable or not to eat?Ask Imaam · 26 Oct 2014
- PrawnsMufti Online · 31 Jan 2017
- Is it permissible to consume prawns that have not yet been deveined?Ask Imaam · 20 Mar 2014
- Calamari, prawns, shell fish, lobster, etc.Mufti Online · 5 Oct 2016
- what is the hanafi ruling with regards to the consumption of Prawns, shrimps, crabs, shark, oysters, octopus, scampi,whale?Ask Imaam · 9 Oct 2013
- Prawns, crab and octopusMufti Online · 21 Aug 2016
Search more fatawa on this Food, Halal & Slaughter topic Compare Darul Iftas