What is the ruling regarding Sheikh Abd al-Hamid al-Atrash's fatwa permitting the consumption of animal and insect meat—including cats, dogs, monkeys, rats, flies, and butterflies—based on verse 145 from Surat al-An'am, "Say, 'I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to an eater who eats it, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine—for that is an abomination—or a transgression that was hallowed to other than God.' But whoever is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful," and based on what was narrated from the Prophet, peace be upon him, "He never criticized any food; if he desired it, he ate it, otherwise, he left it"? And what is the ruling regarding his permissibility of eating human flesh in cases of extreme necessity to avoid perishing, relying on the verse prohibiting carrion, blood, and pork in Surat al-Ma'idah, specifically the part, "But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin—then indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful"?
Scholars have stated that the verse in Al-An'am is not the sole basis for what is permissible and impermissible, and that the Sunnah has forbidden other things, such as eating any predatory animal with fangs, any bird with talons, impure things (khaba'ith), and the flesh of domestic donkeys.
As for eating human flesh: The preponderant view among the Malikis and Hanbalis is that it is not permissible even for one in dire necessity. The Shafi'is, however, differentiated, permitting the killing of a combatant disbeliever (harbi) or an apostate for someone in dire necessity, but they differed concerning others.
As for intoxicants (khamr): Scholars have permitted it for someone in dire necessity to dislodge food stuck in the throat. However, the majority of scholars do not permit drinking it to quench thirst or alleviate hunger, unless it is certain to relieve that thirst, as the Hanafis have stipulated.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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