34/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1943a — Halal Food: Lizard Meat Ruling
The permissibility of eating the Dabb (mastigure)
Hadith About Lizard Meat: Neither Eating Nor Prohibiting
Sahih Muslim : 1943a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1943a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَيَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ، وَابْنُ، حُجْرٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، قَالَ يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ ابْنَ عُمَرَ، يَقُولُ سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الضَّبِّ فَقَالَ " لَسْتُ بِآكِلِهِ وَلاَ مُحَرِّمِهِ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was asked about the eating of (the flesh) of the lizard, whereupon he said: I am neither the eater of it nor its prohibitor.
[1] A type of lizard (uromastyx) that grows up to one or two feet in length.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1943aIn-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 56USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 21, Hadith 4783
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1943a
This hadith about lizard meat gives a careful answer to a direct question. Ibn Umar reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about eating lizard, and he replied that he was neither the eater of it nor its prohibitor. The report shows a difference between personal dislike or habit and declaring something forbidden. For readers searching lizard meat halal hadith, dabb hadith, or Sahih Muslim 1943a, the main teaching is to keep the Prophet’s words as they are. He did not say he eats it, and he did not say he forbids it. The wording is balanced, so the explanation should also stay balanced and not add claims beyond the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered a direct question about eating lizard.
- He stated that he did not eat it.
- He also stated that he did not prohibit it.
- Personal choice and prohibition are not the same in this report.
