The Ruling on An-Nees

Question :

(What is) the ruling on An-Nees, the well known animal?

Answer:

The scholars may Allah have mercy on them have differed regarding its ruling. Some of them declared it permissible, while others declared it forbidden. The more correct of the two opinions is that it is permissible, because the basic principle regarding animals is permissibility. No animal is forbidden except those forbidden by the Islamic Law. And, nothing has been mentioned in the Islamic Law which proves that this animal is forbidden. It eats plants, like the rabbit and the gazelle and it does not possess flesh tearing fangs. So there remains no cause for its prohibition. This animal is a type of hedgehog that is also known as Ad-Duldul and its skin is covered with long spines.

Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, was asked about the hedgehog and he recited the Words of Allah, Most High:
"I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maitah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of swine (pork).

An old man with him said: "Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet that he said:
"Verily, it is an obnoxious thing from among the obnoxious things."

Then Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, said: "If the Messenger of Allah said that, then it is as he said."

So it is plain from his statment, may Allah be pleased with him, that he was unaware that the Messenger had said anything regarding the matter of the hedgehog. It is also clear from his words that he did not believe this old man. And this Hadith was declared weak by Al-Baihaqi as well as other scholars, due to the fact that the aforementioned old man is unknown. Therefore, it is clear from what we have said that the opinion that it is permissible is correct, and the opinion that it is forbidden is weak. And Allah, Most Glorified, Most High knows best.

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