Most-asked question
Are prawns halaal?
40 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Jamiat KZN, Azaadville, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
The Ulama differ. At least one of the fatawa quoted below says there is a difference of opinion on this question. Read the answers in full, and see how each Darul Ifta answers.
“There is a difference of opinion pertaining to the permissibility of prawns. One group of Ulama hold the view that it is permissible while another group believe it is not permissible.”
“There is a difference of opinion amongst the Ulema regarding the reality of prawns, whether it falls under the category of a fish or not. Allamah Dimyari Rahmatullahi Alaihi (a Shafi scholar) has written in Hayaatul-Hayawan that prawns belong to the fish family. If this research proves to be correct, then prawns will be Halaal.”
“There is a difference of opinion pertaining to the permissibility of prawns. One group of Ulama hold the view that it is permissible while another group believe it is not permissible.”
“There are two views among our Ulama regarding the eating of prawns. Some regard it permissible whilst others regard it makrooh-e-tahreemi.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Is eating prawns Halaal or Makrooh? AskImam · 10 Feb 2025
- Consuming prawns Ibn Masood · 2 Jan 2022
- Consuming Squid, Prawns, Crayfish, Calamari And Crabs Azaadville · 25 Oct 2021
- Ruling on trimming beard & sea foods, prawns, calamari? Jamiat KZN · 10 Sep 2015
- Prawns Mufti Online · 7 Mar 2018
- Can I trim my beard for it to look neat and what is the ruling on sea foods; prawns, calamari? AskImam · 8 Sep 2015
- Is eating prawns haalal Jamiat KZN · 1 Jun 2015
- Eating prawns Mufti Online · 24 Dec 2017
- Qirat in Salaah,Are prawns and squid specifically permissable or not to eat? AskImam · 26 Oct 2014
- Prawns Mufti Online · 31 Jan 2017
- Is it permissible to consume prawns that have not yet been deveined? AskImam · 20 Mar 2014
- Calamari, prawns, shell fish, lobster, etc. Mufti Online · 5 Oct 2016
- what is the hanafi ruling with regards to the consumption of Prawns, shrimps, crabs, shark, oysters, octopus, scampi,whale? AskImam · 9 Oct 2013
- Prawns, crab and octopus Mufti Online · 21 Aug 2016
- Is prawns are Haram in Hanafi Maslak? AskImam · 7 Dec 2009
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