Is it Permissible to Eat Rabbits?

Is it Permissible to Eat Rabbits?

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

It is permissible to eat rabbits according to all four schools of thought. (al-Mabsūṭ 11: 230; Tuḥfah al-Fuqahā 3: 65; Badāʾiʿ al-Ṣanāʾiʿ, 5: 39; al-Mudawwānah, 1: 541; al-Majmūʿ, 9: 10; al-Mughnī, 9: 412).

There are many narrations that suggest the Prophet (peace be upon him) approved its consumption. The famous companion Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, “We chased a rabbit whilst we were at Marr al-Ẓahrān and the people ran after it but were exhausted. I caught it, and brought it to Abū Ṭalhah who slaughtered it and sent both its hips, or he said, both its thighs to the Prophet (peace be upon him) who accepted it” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5535).

Allah knows best

Yusuf Shabbir

3 Ṣafar 1427 / 3 March 2006