What is the legal ruling on slaughtering a cat or a crow and offering its meat for consumption to children afflicted with speech difficulties, with the intention of healing, and is it permissible to eat cats?

The basic principle concerning medical treatment with unlawful or impure substances is prohibition, due to the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "Do not treat yourselves with unlawful things." Cats are forbidden to eat, as are crows that eat carrion (the Abqa' and Ghadaf), while the crow that eats seeds is permissible. Many jurists have permitted treatment with unlawful, non-intoxicating substances when there is a necessity, based on the Almighty's saying: "And He has already detailed for you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled." So, if it is medically proven that eating cat meat or forbidden crow meat cures an illness and no alternative is available, there is no harm in treating oneself with them. Cats are considered disliked (makrooh) by the Maliki school, not forbidden, and crows are permissible according to them. Adopting this view is acceptable in times of necessity.