42/30. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4333 — Horse and Mule Meat
Prohibiton Against Eating Horse Meat
Horse Meat and Mule Meat: Jabir's Clear Distinction
Sunan an-Nasai : 4333
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4333
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا نَأْكُلُ لُحُومَ الْخَيْلِ . قُلْتُ الْبِغَالَ قَالَ لاَ .
Jabir Narrated from:
We used to eat horseflesh. ": I said: "And mules?" He said: "No
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4333In-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 71English translation : Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 4338
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4333
This hadith gives a short comparison between horse meat and mule meat. Jabir said that the companions used to eat horse flesh. When he was specifically asked about mules, he answered no. The value of the report lies in that precise follow-up question. A general statement about horse meat was not assumed to include every similar animal. Instead, the questioner asked about mules, and Jabir separated the two. For readers searching “is horse meat halal in Islam” or “is mule meat halal,” this narration records horse meat being eaten and a negative answer regarding mules. It does not explain why the rulings differ, when the practice took place, or whether other conditions applied. The safest explanation is therefore direct: horse flesh was eaten, while mule flesh was not included in that practice.
What we learn from this hadith
- The companions ate horse flesh according to Jabir.
- Jabir gave a negative answer when asked about mule flesh.
- Ask specific questions instead of assuming one animal’s ruling covers another.
