Is Shrimp Halal?
Edited By Staff Writer, Halal Incorp
If you have ever walked along the seafood aisle thinking, “Wait… is shrimp Halal?” — you are definitely not alone in this thought. It’s a typical question among Muslims & the answer isn’t always totally black and white.
Here’s the drill: Many Islamic theologians agree that shrimp is Halal. This also includes followers of the Shafi’i, Maliki & Hanbali schools of thought.
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Based on these, most animals from the sea are good to go, shrimp included.
However, if you adhere to the Hanafi school, elements become a bit more complex. Generally, Hanafis only think of “fish” to be Halal seafood.
Since shrimp isn’t exactly a fish, some Islamic thinkers have categorised it as makruh (discouraged). The key thing to note, not Haram, just not ideal.
This stated there are a number of contemporary Hanafi scholars who have come around to the concept that shrimp is ok to eat, especially given its popularity & the way it’s obtained & prepared.
So where does that leave you?
Genuinely, it really revolves around ones personal beliefs, the school of thought & the guiding principles one follows. If you are unsure, it’s always a good idea and best to ask a recognised scholar or local imam in your area.
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Generally, many Muslims do eat shrimp & enjoy it without any major concerns. As with most things in Islam, intention is important so being conscious & informed is what really counts.
Islam QA Website States In Response To A Question On Shrimps Being Permissible Or Not:
“Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
From your query we understand that you already aware on the basis of the differences regarding prawns. Those scholars who regard prawns as a fish rule that it is Halal, whilst those jurists that disclaim prawns to be a fish render consuming prawns as impermissible.
‘Allama Damiri (may Alllah be pleased with him) stated that prawns are fish. Based on this, Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi (may Alllah be pleased with him) passed the verdict that prawns are Halaal. ( Imdaadul Fataawa, Vol.3 Pg.50). This was also the verdict of Mawlana ‘Abdul Hay Laknawi (may Allah be pleased with him), Mufti Abdur Rahim Lajpuri and others.
On the other hand, Mawlana Raheed Ahmed Gangohi (may Allah be pleased with him) did not regard prawns to be fish, and hence he did not permit the consumption of prawns. (Fataawa Rashidiyya, Vol.2 Pg.122). Mawlana Khalil Ahmed Saharanpuri Rahmatullahi ‘Alaihi held the same opinion as this. (Tazkiratul Khaleel, Pg.200).
Faqihul Ummat Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions that it is better to abstain from prawns because both type of verdicts have been transmitted from our pious predecessors. ( Fataawa Mahmoodiyya, Vol.5 Pg.107 & 123).
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
دع ما يريبك الى ما لا يريبك
“Abstain from that which puts you in doubt, for that which does not put you in doubt.”
If any person prefers to eat prawns, he cannot be prohibited, since there are many senior Hanafi scholars of the past (and present) who regarded prawns as Halal. There is no use arguing about this, and whichever opinion a person takes, his opinion should be respected.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)”
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