flows freely when poured out and shed; as for what remains in the veins of the meat, no scholar has ever declared it unlawful.”

Likewise, it is impermissible to consume anything harmful—such as poison, wine, hashish, or tobacco smoke—for the Exalted says, “Do not, with your own hands, throw yourselves into ruin” (Q. 2:195). This noble verse, together with other evidences, establishes the prohibition of every food or drink that harms mind or body.

Lawful foods fall into two broad classes: animals and plants, the latter including grains and fruits. Everything in these two classes is permitted so long as it causes no harm.

Animals are of two kinds: land animals and sea creatures.

Land animals are lawful in principle, except for certain species that the Lawgiver has forbidden. Among these are domestic donkeys, based on the report of Jābir—may Allah be pleased with him—who said that on the day of Khaybar the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade the meat of domestic donkeys and allowed the meat of horses (agreed upon). Ibn al-Munḏir remarked, “There is no disagreement among the scholars today concerning their prohibition.”

Also prohibited among land animals is any beast of prey that hunts with its canine teeth. Abū Thaʿlabah al-Khushani—may Allah be pleased with him—reported: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade every creature possessing…"