Reviewed by: Shakira Ahmed
Fact Checked by: Shahina Islam
Are you wondering whether is crab halal or haram? The answer to this question depends on who you ask and which Islamic school of thought they follow.
According to the Quran, all sea animals are halal (or permissible to eat) as long as they have scales. These types of sea creatures are not specifically mentioned in the Quran; however, many Islamic scholars have declared them to be haram (or forbidden).
General consensus favors the permissibility of calling crabs to be halal as long as they are caught alive and in a halal way.
The halal way of catching crabs is very specific and requires a person to be trained in halal fishing practices. This involves using a net or instrument that will not kill the crab before it is taken out of the water.
The crab must be removed from the water alive and placed in a halal environment, such as a clean container with clean water.
Although crab is halal according to many Islamic scholars, some people still prefer not to eat them due to the risk that they may have consumed non-halal food sources.
As long as crabs are caught and handled in halal ways, it is safe to consume them.
It is important to note that some schools of Islam consider all crustaceans—including crabs—to be haram, while others make a distinction between those with claws and those without.
Is Crab Halal Or Haram?
Is Crab Halal Or Haram: Islamic scholars have differing viewpoints on whether eating crab is permissible. The Maliki school of thought holds that eating crab is acceptable because there isn’t a definite prohibition in the Quran or hadith.
Crab, on the other hand, is not allowed and is deemed to be haram according to the Hanafi school of thinking, which only accepts fish as halal seafood. Although there are rare exceptions, academics still view eating crab as makruh (unfavorable), rather than haram (forbidden).
Most Islamic scholars concur that seafood from oceans and seas is generally allowed, with the exception of any creatures that are specifically forbidden. One such restriction is on eating marine life that lacks scales. This assertion is supported by Surah Al-An’am (6:146) and Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:96) of the Quran, respectively.
Crabs, along with other crustaceans like lobsters and prawns, fall under this category since they lack scales, making it one of the key difficulties regarding this topic. Muslims are so prohibited from consuming them.
It is very important to remember that this dietary advice may vary depending on the Islamic school of thought or interpretation. If you have specific dietary needs, you should seek the opinion of a trained Islamic scholar or a respected halal certification organization in order to get accurate information on what is halal and what is haram.*Is Crab Halal Or Haram
Does Quran Consider Eating Sea Food Halal?
Yes, the Quran does consider eating seafood halal (permissible according to Islamic law). The Quran states that all lawful and good things are permissible for Muslims to consume, and this includes seafood such as fish, prawns, and shrimp.
The Quran does not specifically mention what types of seafood are allowed or not, but it does offer general guidelines about how to determine if something is halal or haram.
According to Islamic law, any food that has been slaughtered according to prescribed methods is considered lawful and can be eaten.
Therefore, if a crab has been caught in the wild or purchased from a Muslim butcher who follows these laws then it can be consumed.
However, some Islamic scholars believe that certain kinds of crabs should be avoided due to possible contamination from pollutants or other non-halal sources.
For example, crabs that have been fished from non-Muslim countries may not have been slaughtered according to Islamic laws and therefore could be considered haram.
The same applies to crabs caught in areas where pollution is high or there is a risk of toxins being present in the water which could make them unsafe for consumption.
Also Read:
Is Calamari Halal Or Haram? All You Need To Know In 2023
What Are Legal Seafood As Mentioned In The Quran?
The Quran mentions several types of halal seafood that are permissible for consumption. These include
- Fish with scales (i.e., mackerel and salmon)
- Shellfish with shells that open or close (i.e., mussels and oysters)
- Crustaceans with two jointed claws (i.e., crabs and lobsters)
- Mollusks without shells (i.e., squid and octopus)
- Aquatic plants (i.e., seaweed).
These halal foods can be consumed either cooked or uncooked, however, they must have been slaughtered according to Islamic law in order to be considered halal.
What Does Scholar Say About Crab Being Halal Or Haram?
Scholars also consider different types of crabs when determining their permissibility.
For instance, crabs that do not have claws are usually considered permissible while those with claws are often regarded as haram due to their predatory nature which could lead them to consume impure animals such as frogs or lizards which would render them unclean and unfit for consumption according to Islamic standards.
As Dar al-Ifta al Misriyyah explained to his audience about whether is crab halal or haram. he said,
There is no doubt as to the permissibility of eating the meat of such creatures.
God says in the Quran:
“Say: ‘In all that has been revealed to me, I do not find anything forbidden to eat, if one wishes to eat thereof, unless it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine – for all that is unclean – or a sinful offering over which any name other than God’s has been invoked”[6: 145].
Dar al-Ifta al Misriyyah
Referring to the sea, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Its water is pure and purifying and its dead creatures are permissible to eat.”
Guided by these and other texts, we maintain that crabs and similar creatures, like fish and sea mammals, are all permissible to eat even if they die of natural causes or merely by being taken out of the water.
Therefore, halal seafood such as fish and crustaceans fall under the overall halal category and can be consumed when slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.
Is Eating Crab Considered Makrooh According To Hanif i’s School Of Islam?
Hanafi’s school of thought holds that consuming crab is makruh (disliked) due to its potentially unscrupulous origin and high-fat content which can cause health issues if consumed too frequently.
As Hanafi School is one of the four major schools of Sunni Islamic legal reasoning and repositories of positive law decision of is crab halal or haram must be taken after referring to both of the views.
For more information on “Is Crab Halal Or Haram” do check out the video given below:-
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can Muslims Eat Crabs?
Yes, Muslims can eat crabs as long as they have been slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines and not caught in areas with high levels of pollution.
Q2. Is Lobster Halal?
Yes, lobster is halal if it has been slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.
Q3. Does Crab Meat Have To Be Halal?
Yes, in order for crab meat to be considered halal it must have been slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines and not contaminated by pollutants or other non-halal sources.
Conclusion
Before concluding whether Is Crab Halal Or Haram it is important for Muslims to consider all relevant factors under their faith’s dietary restrictions.
We hope this article provided necessary teachings of the Quran regarding what makes something halal or haram as well as consulting with a qualified scholar about specific types of sea creatures like crabs.
You can ensure they abide by their religion’s rules when consuming these delicacies from the sea.
Also, Check:
Are Oysters Halal or Haram? What You Missed In 2023
List of Halal Or Haram Seafood (Shrimp, Crab, Lobster & More)
