Chapter: The Rulings of Hunting

Hunting (ṣayd) is the verbal noun of the verb ṣāda – yaṣīdu – ṣaydan. It denotes the capture of a wild, edible animal that is naturally untamed. The same word is also applied to the quarry itself, so the animal taken is likewise called ṣayd—an instance of using the verbal noun for the object acted upon.

Legal ruling: If a person hunts out of genuine need, it is permissible without dislike. If it is done merely for sport and amusement, with no real need, it is disliked. When it entails wrongdoing—such as encroaching on other people’s crops or property—it becomes forbidden.

The evidence for its permissibility in cases other than the last is Allah’s statement, “When you have left the state of consecration, then hunt” (Q 5:2), and His statement, “And of the beasts and birds of prey you train—teaching them from what Allah has taught you—eat of what they catch for you and mention Allah’s name over it” (Q 5:4).

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, likewise said, “When you release your trained dog and have pronounced Allah’s name over it, eat of what it catches.” Agreed upon.