42/19. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4301 — Proof That an Arrow Killed the Game
The One Who Shoots An Arrow But (The Game) Gets Away From Him
Eating Arrow-Killed Game: The Need for Clear Proof
Sunan an-Nasai : 4301
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4301
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا رَأَيْتَ سَهْمَكَ فِيهِ وَلَمْ تَرَ فِيهِ أَثَرًا غَيْرَهُ وَعَلِمْتَ أَنَّهُ قَتَلَهُ فَكُلْ " .
`Adi bin Hatim Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "If you see your arrow in it. And you do not see any other mark, and you know that (Your arrow) killed it, then eat it."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4301In-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 39English translation : Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 4306
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4301
This Hadith gives a short and direct rule about eating arrow-killed game. The hunter may eat the animal when three points are clear: his arrow is found in it, there is no other mark on the body, and he knows that the arrow killed it. The focus is not simply on finding the animal after a hunt. The focus is on knowing the real cause of death. This protects the hunter from treating uncertain meat as lawful without checking. The wording also supports a careful approach to halal hunting rules. Visible evidence matters, and other possible causes must be absent. In simple terms, the game may be eaten when the hunter can reasonably connect its death to his own arrow and finds no competing sign.
What we learn from this hadith
- Confirm that your own arrow is found in the animal.
- Check that there is no mark showing another cause of death.
- Do not rely on guesswork when the cause of death is unclear.
- Eat the game when you know that the arrow killed it.
