15/9. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1199a — No Sin for Killing Harmful Animals
What animals it is recommended for the Muhrim and others to kill inside and outside the Sanctuary
No Sin for Killing Harmful Animals in Ihram
Sahih Muslim : 1199a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1199a
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، جَمِيعًا عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ، قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، - رضى الله عنه - عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " خَمْسٌ لاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَى مَنْ قَتَلَهُنَّ فِي الْحَرَمِ وَالإِحْرَامِ الْفَارَةُ وَالْعَقْرَبُ وَالْغُرَابُ وَالْحِدَأَةُ وَالْكَلْبُ الْعَقُورُ " . وَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ فِي رِوَايَتِهِ " فِي الْحُرُمِ وَالإِحْرَامِ " .
Salim reported on the authority of his father (Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Five are the (beasts) which if one kills them in the precincts of the Ka'ba or in the state of lhram entail no sin: rat, scorpion, crow, kite and voracious dog. In another version the words are:" as a Muhrim and in the state of lhram".
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1199aIn-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 78USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 7, Hadith 2724
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1199a
This Hadith explains the ruling on harmful animals in ihram and in the sacred precincts of the Ka'bah. Salim reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said there is no sin if one kills five specific animals: the rat, scorpion, crow, kite, and voracious dog. The wording is clear that this applies in the precincts of the Ka'bah and in the state of ihram. The Hadith does not give a general permission to kill any animal. It names certain creatures linked with harm. This makes the teaching practical for a Muhrim who may fear danger or injury from such animals while still respecting the sacred state of ihram.
What we learn from this hadith
- A Muhrim is not sinful for killing the five harmful animals named in the Hadith.
- The ruling applies both in the Haram and during ihram, according to this narration.
- The permission is specific and should not be widened beyond the text without knowledge.
- The Hadith balances the sacred rules of ihram with protection from harm.
