The Rights and Rules of Birds in Islamic Jurisprudence

Abstract

Mercy is considered one of the best and greatest subjects from the perspective of the sacred Islamic religion, and it is regarded as a good and commendable act. According to Islamic principles and foundations, in all circumstances individuals are obliged, even in dealing with animals, to exhibit mercy and not to act with stubbornness and anger against silent and voiceless creatures. Causing harm to animals is deemed a reprehensible and unacceptable act. Unfortunately, birds are also among the animals that are used as food sources in certain regions of the world. Birds have specific conditions and criteria; according to certain narrations, the meat of some species is considered halal (permissible), while the meat of other species is deemed haram (forbidden). In this context, comprehensive and integrated research has not yet been conducted, leading to the question of what rights birds have and which types of these birds have halal meat and which types have haram meat. Answering this question is a matter that requires further investigation; the author of the actual  research has sought to reach a convincing answer regarding this issue. This research aims to explore the rights of birds and to delineate the limits of halal and haram concerning birds according to Islamic jurisprudence. Considering the title of the research and the scope of the topic, the primary research method is the descriptive method, where information has been gathered from library sources, along with an attempt to apply relevant concepts.