Islamic scholars have offered two opposing views to explain Islam’s view of marine life. So the question arises among Muslims – Is Octopus Halal in Islam?
They want to clarify vague ideas. Along with that, many people are also interested in documenting their opinions.
Some also want to know the analysis of Fiqh Shastra-centered schools about octopuses. As many people ask – Is Octopus Halal in Hanafi Madhhab?
Because a large group of Islam worldwide are followers of the Hanafi school, their interest in knowing is centred on Madhhab.
This is why the article you are reading analyzes the view of the Octopus in Islam. It will also include references to the Qur’an – Hadith and Fatwa of Madhhab.
Islam’s perspective on Halal and Haram
Islam is the religion of human nature. Every rule of Islam is imposed in harmony with human nature.
For this reason, in most cases, Islam has forbidden all those things which human nature and conscience claim to be Haram, like drugs, adultery, extramarital affairs etc.
That is why most things that Vivek claims to be halal are halal. In very few cases, Islam has given rules against human nature and taste. An octopus halal is one such thing.
This principle is reflected in the dietary guidelines of Islam. It is forbidden to eat things that people dislike eating, like a snake, rats, monkeys, blood, pus etc.
Again, differences in place and environment lead to differences in people’s tastes and dispositions.
This is why the Shari’ah requires a wise person to specify what is halal and what is Haram.
And Allah is the All-Knowing, Who knows what food is beneficial and what is harmful. So he has specified the halal and Haram for people.
What is Islam’s perspective on seafood?
The majority of jurists think that eating all marine animals is halal. Among them are the great imams and scholars of the Shafi’i, Maleki and Hanbali schools of thought.
However, they forbid eating marine animals such as frogs, turtles, and animals that are harmful to human health.
However, this view is not universally accepted by Islamic scholars. Some Islamic scholars have opined that eating many marine animals is Haram.
Because among marine animals, many are under the purview of ‘Khabayis’ prohibited in the Qur’an.
Is Octopus halal in Islam?
Yes, the Octopus is Halal in Islam. As discussed earlier, many Islamic scholars have opined that eating marine animals is halal.
An octopus is a marine animal. So eating it is halal. Moreover, it has no risk of health damage, and human instinct does not hate it.
Those who say that eating Octopus is halal are – Imam Shafi’i Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and the learned scholars of Islam from among their followers. But their opposite exists.
Evidence of Octopus halal
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
‘He has made lawful for you all kinds of marine prey and its food. (Surat al-Ma’ida – 96)
The guidance in this verse is quite extensive. This proves that eating all the animals roaming in the sea is halal.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
‘Seawater is pure, and its dead animals are halal.’ (Musnad Ahmad)
An animal found dead in the sea has been declared halal in this hadith. But no type of animal was specified.
Therefore, all kinds of marine animals will be included in the breadth of the meaning of the hadith. And by making the dead marine animals halal, the living animals will be better. So Octopus is halal.
Is Octopus Halal in Hanafi Madhhab?
Octopus is Haram in Hanafi Madhhab. Because in the Hanafi Madhhab, only fish is allowed to be eaten from among sea creatures.
Besides fish, all marine animals are Haram in the Hanafi school of thought. Since Octopus does not belong to the fish category, it is considered Haram by scholars of the Hanafi school of thought.
There is solid and irrefutable evidence for their views. They proved this view by analyzing Quran and Hadith.
For this reason, the followers of the Hanafi school have refrained from eating marine animals such as octopuses, shrimps, and crabs for ages.
Evidence of Octopus Haram
In the Holy Quran, Allah Ta’ala says,
Translation: He has made their sacred objects lawful. And forbade filthy things. (Surat al-A’raf: 156)
Allah Ta’ala has forbidden ‘Khabayes’ (dirty things) in that verse. It is called Khabayes, which is the natural hatred of human beings.
Meanwhile, the Octopus hates human nature and belongs to the dirty stuff. And dirty things are forbidden. So Octopus is not halal.
Thus there is no evidence that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his Companions ate such aquatic animals.
In addition, there is a hadith narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade a doctor to make medicine by killing frogs. (Abu Dawood – 361)
Summary
We have not found any evidence in the Qur’an or Sunnah that directly Octopus Haram. The documents presented on the opinion of the Hanafi school are fragile.
Dirty things are forbidden in the Quran. But on what basis did the Octopus belong?
Some people may hate eating Octopus. But many people do not hate eating Octopus. So one’s taste cannot be imposed on another.
Again, the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his Companions did not eat anything does not prove that it is Haram. So the idea of the Octopus being halal is more powerful.
Thus the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade the making of medicine by killing frogs. It is specific to frogs. By this, only frogs can be Haram. So Octopus is halal.