Which sea creatures can be consumed?

· 2 Safar 1439 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

The Quraan states that all underwater creatures are Halaal for Muslims. But, some Moulanas say that shark, crab and octopus are excluded. Is this correct or can we Muslims freely consume all underwater creatures?

Answer

All sea creatures that fall under the category of fish are halaal according to the hanafi mazhab. Shark comes under the category of fish. Octopus and crab are not fish.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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