
Is Catfish Halal Or Haram: If you’re wondering whether is catfish halal or haram, you’ve come to the right place. This blog will provide an in-depth look at the Islamic guidelines for eating catfish, and help you decide if this popular seafood is part of your diet.
We’ll explore the various opinions on the matter, as well as what to look for if you’re considering trying catfish for the first time.
So, if you’re a Muslim who’s curious about whether catfish is halal, stick around, and let’s find out.
Is Catfish Halal Or Haram?
Generally speaking, most scholar trust that Catfishes being a member of the fish family is halal food according to Islamic guidelines whether they die of natural cause or have intentionally preyed.
However, eating catfish shouldn’t be dangerous or poisonous.
Does the Quran Allow Eating Seafood?
Many people are often confused as to whether it is permissible to eat seafood according to the Quran.
The answer to this question is yes, the Quran does allow for the consumption of fish and other seafood.
The Quranic explanation in sūrat l-māidah explains seafood as:
“Lawful to you is the pursuit of water game (fishing) and its use for food, for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel…”
(Surah al-Ma’ida, V: 96)
This verse is taken to mean that all seafood is permissible to eat, including fish and catfish. This includes not just fish but other sea creatures such as shrimp, crabs, and squid.
The Hanafi school believes that catfish comes under permissible seafood and others are considered among the makruh and sometimes haram categories.
However, there is also a difference between halal and makruh seafood. Halal seafood is considered to be permissible to eat according to Islamic law, while makruh seafood is considered to be disliked or offensive to eat.
Is Catfish Halal Or Haram: Catfish are known for their fleshy, meaty texture and for being a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. As such, it is permissible to consume in moderation and in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.
That being said, it is important to note that some scholars disagree on the issue of catfish. Some argue that it is makruh and should be avoided. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether they will consume catfish or not.
The Quran does allow for the consumption of fish and other seafood, including catfish. However, it is important to note that some scholars consider it to be makruh. Ultimately, the decision to consume catfish or not is up to the individual.
What Did [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Reply When Asked About Catfish?
Is Catfish Halal Or Haram: When it comes to matters of religious observance, many Muslims turn to Islamic scholars for guidance. One such food doubt that has come up for debate is catfish.
Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam, an Islamic scholar from the UK, was asked about the status of catfish in Islam.
His response was that any fish is halal as long as it meets the basic requirements set out in Islamic law, namely that it is a sea-dwelling creature that lives in water and is not a scavenger.
He noted that, while some people may consider catfish to be unclean, this should not be taken as a reason to avoid it altogether since there is no clear evidence to suggest that the fish is actually haram (prohibited).
Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam also pointed out that, even if a person was to avoid catfish, it would still be permissible to eat other types of fish that meet the same criteria, such as tilapia, salmon, trout, and mackerel.
As per the explanation that Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam provided in accordance with Hanafi Fiqh by Daruliftaa, Not Every animal or plant that is inculcated under water is permissible for human consumption. Plants should be free from any harmful poison and animals on another hand can only fish.
“….However, according to the Hanafi School, whatever is known to be from the fish family will be permitted, and the rest is unlawful.
(Hidaya, 4/71)”
In addition to his Muhammad ibn Adam, Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah, of Darul Ifta Birmingham, also added.
“The game of the sea and its eating has been made lawful for you.”
(Surah Maaidah v.96)
Hanafi Mujtahids quotes this verse to back up his argument of allowing all fishes as halal and since shark is a species of fish too they can be eaten if slaughtered according to Islamic teachings.
The following is a well-known hadith that further assumes catfish to be halal seafood:
“A man asked the Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam) “O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam), we travel on the sea and take a small quantity of water with us. If we use this for ablution, we would suffer from thirst. Can we perform ablution with seawater? The Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam) replied; its water is pure and what dies in it is lawful food.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud p.13 v.1) Narrated by Saaiduna Abu Hurairah (R.A).
Do Catfishes Come Under The Category Of Fishes?

When it comes to determining if a particular food item is permissible to eat according to Islamic dietary law, the primary factor is the type of animal it comes from.
For example, cows, goats, sheep, and chickens are all considered halal, while pork and other scavenging animals are considered haram.
This same principle applies to fish, as many types are permissible to consume, while some are not.
So, when it comes to catfish, do they come under the category of fish and, therefore, permissible to eat?
The answer is yes. Catfishes are a type of ray-finned fish, which are considered halal by Islamic dietary laws. This means that, if the fish is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, it is permissible to consume.
Catfish include some 2,500 species of mostly freshwater fish characterized by two to four pairs of whiskers or barbels around their mouth.
For More Information on “Is Catfish Halal or Haram” do watch the video given below:-
Read Also:
Is Tuna Halal Or Haram? Best Information
Is Eel Halal Or Haram? What Changed In 2023?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is It Permissible To Eat Catfish?
A: Yes, as long as it meets the criteria for halal food. There are some types of catfish that are considered makruh, so it is important to make sure that the type of catfish you are consuming is halal.
Q2: Are There Any Guidelines For Preparing Catfish In A Halal Manner?
A: Yes, there are several guidelines that should be followed when preparing catfish in a halal way. For starters, the fish should be killed in a humane way, preferably by stunning or electrocution.
Q: Are There Any Health Benefits To Eating Catfish?
A: Yes, there are many health benefits associated with eating catfish. Catfish is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
Final Verdict
Wrapping our decision on is catfish halal or haram it can be said that catfishes are considered a type of ray-finned fish and, as such, are halal according to Islamic dietary laws.
However, it is important to be aware that some species may be considered makruh and should be avoided. We hope your question was answered.
Don’t lose your heart if the answer isn’t satisfactory since there are other seafood that you can always choose from for your halal diet. Thanks for reading.