the Companions ruled that, if a person in the state of ihram hunted one, he must offer a camel as expiation (1). This indicates that it is lawful.

His statement, “and the rabbit”: it is well known and lawful, based on the default ruling.

His statement, “and all other wild animals”: what is meant here by wild animals is those animals that are not ordinarily domesticated. That is, all wild animals, apart from those exceptions among the prohibited animals mentioned above, are lawful. Al-Rawḍ states: “Such as the giraffe, the hyrax, and the jerboa; likewise the peacock and the parrot” (2). All of these are lawful, based on the default ruling.

His statement, “All sea creatures are lawful”: the word “all” is one of the terms used for emphasis. But does it emphasize “sea,” or does it emphasize “creatures”?

The answer is that it emphasizes “creatures,” as demonstrated by the exception, where he says: “except the frog.”

His statement, “All sea creatures are lawful”: the evidence for this is Allah’s saying: “He is the One Who created for you everything on the earth” [al-Baqarah 2:29]. The specific evidence is Allah’s saying: “Lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, as a provision for you and for travelers” [al-Ma’idah 5:96]. Ibn Abbas said: “The game of the sea” is that which is caught alive, and “its food” is that which is caught dead (3).