Explaining Islam in Light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ‎)

Hunting as a Sport

Question

I want to know about hunting. Is it allowed in Islam as a sport?

Answer

Hunting really implies taking a life of a living being. Taking a life of a living being (other than humans) is allowed in Islam, if the purpose is to eat the animal. According to Islam, this permission is granted under the strict condition that God be remembered while taking such life – reminding ourselves that:

  1. God alone is the source of all the blessings that we enjoy in life and therefore God alone needs to be thanked for all these blessings of in life;

  2. the animal is being killed with the express permission of God; and

  3. God – the sole source of life for all living things – is the only true authority that can grant permission for taking life.

The permission of taking life of another living being, however, is restricted to using the meat of the animal for eating or for using its parts in things that are generally beneficial for man or for saving oneself from the loss that the animal may entail for man.

Contrary to the above explanation, hunting, as a sport, implies killing another living being for our pleasure. I really do not think that the pain, torture and death of another living being could be a source of pleasure for any human being, let alone a true, God-fearing, Muslim. Hunting as a sport is an inhumane act. Islam does not approve any act, which is brutal and merciless in its nature.

The Merciful would indeed expect us to show some mercy on creatures upon which we have some power. After all, what would be our refuge, if God started hunting us, as His sport?

22nd May 2000