Land-animals who have flowing blood in them and they survive on grass and leaves, and do not prey on other animals (i.e. non-predatory terrestrial animals) are all considered Halal, such as a camel, cow, goat, buffalo, sheep, deer, etc, although there is a slight difference of opinion within the Hanafi School with regards to the consumption of horse-meat. Also, a donkey is exempted from this general ruling, in that its meat in considered Haram for consumption.
Allah Most High says:
"And cattle (an'am), He has created for you, from them you derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) you eat." (Surah al-Nahl, V: 5)
And:
"It is Allah Who made cattle for you, that you may use some for riding and some for food." (Surah al-Mu'min, V: 79)
In the above two verses, Allah Most High uses the term "al-An'am" (cattle) which refers to non-predatory animals, according to the unanimous agreement of all the linguistics.
As far as the consumption of horse-meat is concerned, Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him) considers is somewhat disliked (makruh tanzihan) due to its honour and due to the fact that a horse is needed in Jihad. Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad (Allah have mercy on them both) consider it Halal, and it is said that Imam Abu Hanifa also retreated to this opinion. Thus, it would be permitted to consume horse-meat, although better to avoid.
With regards to the meat of a donkey and mule, Allah Most High says:
"And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show; and He has created (other) things of which you have no knowledge." (Surah al-Nahl, V: 8)
So, in regards to all other non-predatory animals, Allah Almighty mentions that He has created them for consumption (as we have seen in the verses mention earlier). However, with regards to donkeys and mules, He mentions that they are for riding and adornment (zeenah). Had consumption of these animals been Halal, Allah Almighty would surely have mentioned it.
Moreover, Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) forbade the meat of donkeys on the day of the battle of Khaybar." (Sahih al-Bukhari, no: 5202)
Sayyiduna Abu Tha'laba (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) prohibited the eating of donkey's meat. (Sahih al-Bukhari, no: 5205)
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and said: "The donkeys have been (slaughtered and) eaten." Another man came and said: "The donkeys have been destroyed." The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) ordered a caller to announce to the people: "Allah and His Messenger forbid you to eat the meat of donkeys, for it is impure." Thus the pots were turned upside down while the (donkey's) meat was boiling in them." (Sahih al-Bukhari, no: 5208)
With regards to the mules, Sayyiduna Khalid ibn al-Walid (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) forbade the meat of horses, mules and donkeys." (Musnad Ahmad, 4/89, Sunan Abu Dawud, no: 3790, Sunan Nasa'i and Sunan Ibn Majah)
However, the fuqaha mention that the ruling on a mule would be that of its mother. If the mother is a donkey, then it would be definitely Haram. If the mother is some Halal animal such as a cow, it would be completely Halal, and if the mother is a horse, then the rules of eating horse-meat would apply. (See: Radd al-muhtar)
Findus beef lasagne contained up to 100% horsemeat, FSA says
Dangers to non Muslim (as they would be eating it, Oh, unless some HFA products are tested too) is that the horses are given pain killers that are too strong for humans.
FSA wrote:
Animals treated with phenylbutazone are not allowed to enter the food chain as [the drug] may pose a risk to human health.
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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