42/31. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4340 — Why Domestic Donkey Meat Is Forbidden
Prohibition Of Eating The Flesh Of Domesticated Donkeys
Domestic Donkey Meat in Islam: The Clear Prohibition at Khaibar
Sunan an-Nasai : 4340
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4340
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ صَبَّحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَيْبَرَ فَخَرَجُوا إِلَيْنَا وَمَعَهُمُ الْمَسَاحِي فَلَمَّا رَأَوْنَا قَالُوا مُحَمَّدٌ وَالْخَمِيسُ . وَرَجَعُوا إِلَى الْحِصْنِ يَسْعَوْنَ فَرَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ " اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ خَرِبَتْ خَيْبَرُ إِنَّا إِذَا نَزَلْنَا بِسَاحَةِ قَوْمٍ فَسَاءَ صَبَاحُ الْمُنْذَرِينَ " . فَأَصَبْنَا فِيهَا حُمُرًا فَطَبَخْنَاهَا فَنَادَى مُنَادِي النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَرَسُولَهُ يَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْ لُحُومِ الْحُمُرِ فَإِنَّهَا رِجْسٌ .
Anas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah reached Khaibar in the morning, and they came out to us carrying their shovels. When they saw us they said: 'Muhammad and the army!' And they rushed back into the fortress. The Messenger of Allah raised his hands, then he said: ' Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Khaibar is destroyed. Verily, when we descend in field of a people (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned! Acquired some donkeys there and we cooked the., Then the caller of the Prophet called out: 'Allah and His Messenger forbid you to eat the flesh of donkeys, for it is an abomination.'
[1] See: As-Sūffāt 37:177.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4340In-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 78English translation : Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 4345
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4340
This hadith explains the ruling on domestic donkey meat in Islam through an event at Khaibar. After the Muslims arrived, some donkeys were acquired and their meat was cooked. The Prophet’s caller then announced that Allah and His Messenger had forbidden the people from eating it and described it as an abomination. The main lesson is clear: even when food has already been prepared, a believer stops when a direct prohibition is announced. The report also shows how an Islamic food ruling was shared openly so that everyone in the group could hear and act. For people searching about whether donkey meat is halal or haram, this narration specifically concerns domesticated donkeys, not every animal called a donkey.
What we learn from this hadith
- Domestic donkey meat was forbidden during the events at Khaibar.
- A clear prophetic command should be followed even after food has been cooked.
- Important rulings should be announced plainly so the whole community can act.
- The text specifically speaks about domesticated donkey meat.
