72/27. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5520 — Horse Meat and Donkey Meat Ruling
Horse flesh
Is Horse Meat Halal? The Khaibar Hadith on Donkey Meat
Sahih Bukhari : 5520
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5520
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهم ـ قَالَ نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ خَيْبَرَ عَنْ لُحُومِ الْحُمُرِ، وَرَخَّصَ فِي لُحُومِ الْخَيْلِ.
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
On the Day of the battle of Khaibar, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made donkey's meat unlawful and allowed the eating of horse flesh.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5520In-book reference : Book 72, Hadith 46USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 67, Hadith 429
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5520
This Hadith is about Islamic dietary rules, especially the ruling on horse meat and donkey meat at Khaibar. The main lesson is clear from the wording: the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made donkey’s meat unlawful and allowed horse flesh. So, when people search for “is horse meat halal in Islam” or “donkey meat haram hadith,” this narration gives a direct answer from the text itself. It also shows that halal and haram food is not based only on habit or personal taste. It is guided by the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The Hadith does not mention every animal, and it does not give a long reason here. It simply reports the ruling given on that day: donkey meat was forbidden, while horse meat was permitted.
What we learn from this hadith
- Horse flesh was allowed in this narration.
- Donkey’s meat was made unlawful on the Day of Khaibar.
- Muslims should take food rulings from the guidance of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
- A ruling should be stated only as far as the Hadith text supports it.
