Assalam Alekum, my brothers and sisters, is very grateful for us that we are Muslims. Our Islam teaches us before eating anything, we should know about that particular food, whether it is halal or haram.
There are many kinds of seafood where Muslims get confused while eating seafood, so today, we brought this guidance for those concerned about Turtle halal or haram in Islam.
We all see most people eat turtles worldwide, but can a Muslim eat the turtles? This is the most debatable topic in the Muslim community.
The status of turtle halal and haram in Islam, Islamic scholars interpreted this differently according to Islamic law.
Some Islamic scholars believe all reptile creatures are haram forbidden. However, some scholars believe only certain types of reptile haram.
We have tried to cover all the things in this article. What do Islamic scholars think about the consumption of turtles? Read this article entirely In Sha Allah; Ultimately, you will know the truth.
No, According to Hanafi, Shafi, and Hanbali jurisprudence of Islamic schools, all Reptile creatures are considered haram, Including turtles and Tortoises.
On the other hand, The Maliki school scholars argue eating a turtle is halal in Islam because it is a sea creature, and Muslims can eat sea creatures. So they consider turtle halal.
Why Turtle Is Halal?
The turtle will not be considered halal in Islam because it is a reptile creature that is not permissible to eat. However, some Islamic scholars are allowed to eat turtles. They basically took evidence from these Quran verses.
قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ ۚ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ “Say (O Muhammad): I find not in that which has been inspired to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it unless it be a dead animal (unslaughtered) or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine (pork, etc.) for that surely is impure, or unlawful meat of an animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than Allah (for idols, saints, etc). But whosoever is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ ۖ “Lawful to you is the game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travellers…”
Surah Al-Mā’idah: 96
The Islamic scholars who argue for a turtle being halal consider the turtle as permissible even if it is not slaughtered. They took the references of these Quran verses. And allow to consume turtle.
Is Turtle Meat Halal?
No, According to Hanafi, Shafi, and Hanbali jurisprudence of Islamic schools, all reptile creatures are considered haram, including turtles and Tortoises.
While some scholars argue eating turtles is halal in Islam because they believe turtles are sea creatures that are generally halal to eat. They also took the references of these Quran verses.
“Lawful to you is the game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travellers…” Surah Al-Mā’idah: 96
Turtle in Islam
The eating permissibility of eating turtles in Islam has been a debatable topic among Muslim scholars.
There are some different opinions are the following:
Haram: Some Islamic scholars argue eating turtles is haram; this is because they believe turtles are reptiles and reptile creatures are generally considered to be prohibited or haram in Islam.
Halal: some scholars argue eating turtles is halal in Islam because they believe turtles are sea creatures that are generally halal to eat. They also took the references of these Quran verses.
“Lawful to you is the game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travellers…” Surah Al-Mā’idah: 96
Makruh (Disliked): still, other scholars argue eating turtles is makruh in Islam. They believe a turtle is a reptile; therefore, it would be considered makruh to eat.
Is turtle halal Shia
The majority of Muslim Shia tradition follow the Ja’fari school of thought; they believe turtles are amphibious creature, which is haram because all reptiles are considered haram in Islam.
On the other hand, according to Ismaili schools, they consider turtles halal for eating.
What are Sea Turtles?
Sea turtles are typically found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. They lived on earth for over 100 million years. Sea turtles are also known as air-breathing reptiles.
The shells are streamlined to help sea turtles for swimming in depths of the ocean over 1000 feet. This creature also plays a very important role in marine ecosystems. They usually eat jellyfish, sea sponges, and other marine organisms.
The seven species of sea turtles are:
Flatback sea turtle
Green sea turtle
Hawksbill sea turtle
Leatherback sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle
Olive ridley sea turtle
Is Sea Turtle Halal?
No, Sea Turtles will not be considered halal in Islam because they live in both water and land. They are aquatic reptiles, which means they live most of their lives in the water. But they also come to the land to lay their eggs.
According to Hanafi, Shafi, and Hanbali jurisprudence of Islamic schools, all reptile creatures are considered haram, including turtles and Tortoises.
FAQs About Turtle
Are turtle haram to keep as pets
There is no problem with keeping the aquatic turtle as a pet; it is permissible, and Allah knows the best.
Can Muslims have a pet turtle?
There is no problem with keeping the aquatic turtle as a pet; it is permissible, and Allah knows the best.
Can Muslims eat turtle eggs?
There are not any fatwa regarding turtle eggs. I don’t think so. If you do not eat the turtle meat, you should also avoid their eggs. Allah knows the best
Are Turtles Mentioned in the Quran?
No, specifically not mentioned in the holy Quran about turtles,
Conclusion
Ultimately, the status of the turtle being halal depends on which of the Islamic schools you are following. According to Hanafi, Shafi, and Hanbali jurisprudence of Islamic schools, they consider turtle meat haram.
While some Islamic scholars are allowed to eat turtles. they consider turtle is halal for eating.
As we have covered all the thoughts of Islamic schools about turtles, now the main concern is what we should follow. If I talk about what we understand, Allah SWT make lots of things halal for eating, which we can eat without any doubt, so why should we eat that food, which is doubtful in Islam like octopus, crocodiles, and Prawns halal? So we should avoid such types of seafood, and Allah knows the best.
Allah says in the holy Quran: “… Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
My name is Ashraf Ali, and I am a freelance writer and blogger. I have received my education from religious seminaries. I thoroughly enjoy writing on religious topics, and through my articles, I strive to convey the correct Islamic message to people.
