816 – Al-Miqdām ibn Maʿdīkarib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Hearken! It is not lawful to consume any predatory beast that possesses fangs, nor the domesticated donkey, nor to take lost property that belongs to a treaty-protected non-Muslim—unless he has no further need of it.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd. (1)

Grade of the hadith:
The report is sound and singular.
Abū Dāwūd transmitted it without remark, while al-Mundhirī noted that al-Dāraquṭnī cited it in abridged form and pointed out its singularity.

Vocabulary:
• dhū nāb: the canine tooth next to the incisor; for a predator it serves the role that talons do for birds of prey. Plurals: anyāb, nuyūb.
• al-sibāʿ: every animal with fangs that attacks people and livestock and preys upon them, such as the lion and the tiger.
• al-ḥimār al-ahlī: the domesticated donkey, so called because it lives among people and is tame.
• muʿāhad: a non-Muslim who is permitted to remain upon his religion under a covenant, on condition of paying jizyah and observing the laws of the Muslim polity.
• an yastaghnī: that the owner regards the item as insignificant and is unconcerned about it.