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Is it permissible to take bird fledglings from their nests to raise them at home, and what is the authenticity of the hadith: "Whoever grieves this one by taking its child, return its child to it"?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is permissible to hunt young birds, the consumption of which Allah has made lawful, for those who can benefit from them as food or for rearing, provided there is no neglect in feeding and watering them.

Imam Ahmad was asked about hunting chicks and he did not disapprove of it.

Some scholars are of the opinion that it is permissible to take young, edible birds from their nests if they are suitable for consumption, but it is not permissible to take them for amusement or play.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade torturing animals and using them as targets for shooting.

As for the hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud about returning the chicks to their mother, it is a recommendation and not an obligation, and it is possible that it was a specific characteristic of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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