clothing and the like—and they follow what is lawful and unlawful with respect to food and drink.

The position of the hadith scholars on this great, comprehensive principle lies midway between the positions of the Iraqis and the Hijazis. The people of Medina—Mālik and others—prohibit every intoxicating beverage, as has been authentically reported from the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—through numerous chains. They do not take the same approach to foods; rather, their predominant tendency is not to prohibit them. Thus, they permit [birds] without restriction, even those with talons, and [regard as disliked] every fanged predatory animal. Two reports are related from Mālik as to whether such animals are prohibited. Likewise, two reports are related from him concerning insects—whether they are prohibited or merely disliked. The same applies to mules and donkeys. It is reported from him that they are disliked more strongly than predatory animals; it is also reported that they are prohibited by the Sunnah, though not to the same degree as the prohibition of donkeys. He also regards horses as disliked, but less so than predatory animals.

The people of Kufa, in the matter of beverages, differ from the people of Medina and everyone else. They recognize as wine only that made from grapes, and they do not prohibit a small amount of an intoxicating beverage unless it is grape wine, an uncooked infusion of dates or raisins, or boiled grape juice that has not been reduced by two-thirds. In foods, however, they are extremely restrictive, to the point of prohibiting horses and spiny-tailed lizards. It is said that Abū Hanīfa regards the spiny-tailed lizard, hyenas, and similar animals as disliked.

Thus, regarding beverages, the hadith scholars adopted the position of the people of Medina and the rest of