What is the authenticity of the hadith prohibiting the killing of five harmful creatures, and what is the reason for forbidding the consumption of their meat?
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade the killing of four creatures: the ant, the bee, the hoopoe, and the shrike. The prohibition against killing the frog was established in another hadith.
Some scholars have explained the reason for forbidding the killing of these animals: the ant because of its minimal harm; the bee because of the benefit of its honey and wax; the hoopoe and the shrike because their meat is forbidden to eat. It was also mentioned regarding the wisdom behind the prohibition of killing the frog that its croaking is a form of glorification (tasbeeh).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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