that such a creature existed in ancient times. Nor is it far-fetched that it once existed and then became extinct. Allah knows best. In any case, the general rule is that all sea animals are lawful.

His statement, “Land animals are permissible”: The basic presumption regarding land animals is permissibility, due to the generality of Allah’s saying, Exalted is He:

“He is the One Who created for you all that is on the earth.” [al-Baqarah 2:29]

Thus, the basic presumption concerning all animals, birds and otherwise, is that they are lawful.

If someone says, “This bird is lawful,” we do not say to him, “Produce the evidence,” because the basic presumption supports his claim. But if he says, “This is forbidden,” we say, “You must provide the evidence.”

His statement, “Land animals are permissible,” means that Allah, Exalted is He, has made them lawful. Sea animals are excluded from this statement, as they have already been discussed. Here, permissibility means lawfulness.

His statement, “except domesticated donkeys”: In another version, it reads, “tame donkeys”; the meaning is the same. The word ḥumur is the plural of ḥimār (donkey). It is incorrect to pronounce it with the mīm unvowelled, for if one says ḥumr, it is the plural of aḥmar (red, masculine) or ḥamrāʾ (red, feminine). Rather, one must say ḥumur.

Domesticated donkeys are those ridden by people, and they are well known. They are forbidden. Wild donkeys, by contrast, are lawful.

Should we demand evidence from someone who says that wild donkeys are lawful?

The answer is no. If he brings evidence, however, he has added something beneficial for us. But whoever says that domesticated donkeys are forbidden, we require him to provide the evidence.