34/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1944a — Halal Food: Lizard Is Lawful but Not His Diet
The permissibility of eating the Dabb (mastigure)
Lizard Meat Hadith: Lawful, But Not the Prophet’s Diet
Sahih Muslim : 1944a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1944a
وَحَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ تَوْبَةَ الْعَنْبَرِيِّ، سَمِعَ الشَّعْبِيَّ، سَمِعَ ابْنَ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ مَعَهُ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فِيهِمْ سَعْدٌ وَأُتُوا بِلَحْمِ ضَبٍّ فَنَادَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ نِسَاءِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّهُ لَحْمُ ضَبٍّ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " كُلُوا فَإِنَّهُ حَلاَلٌ وَلَكِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ طَعَامِي " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
There were some persons with Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) from among his Companions, Sa'd being one of them. There was brought to them the flesh of the lizard when a lady amongst the wives of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: It is the flesh of the lizard. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (way peace be upon him) said: Eat, for it is lawful, but it is not my diet.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1944aIn-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 61USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 21, Hadith 4788
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1944a
This lizard meat hadith gives a very clear phrase: “Eat, for it is lawful, but it is not my diet.” Ibn Umar reports that the flesh of lizard was brought while some Companions were present. When it was identified, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told them to eat. He also explained that it was not from his own food. For readers searching lizard meat halal hadith, dabb halal, or Sahih Muslim 1944a, this report helps separate a lawful item from a personal food habit. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not eat it as his diet, yet he allowed others present to eat it. The teaching should stay within that wording.
What we learn from this hadith
- The lizard meat was identified before the group.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told those present to eat it.
- He described it as lawful in this report.
- He also said it was not his own diet.
